TCD MS 11274/55 folio 2 recto
[2 February 1917]
yesterday for Willey picked up a piece of paper with writing on it in German & I couldnt translate it Chiefly because I cannot read their characters in MS. Would you, maybe write out the alphabet in German characters for me? Well I think about the Western v Eastern discussion when you say that people in higher directions of politics rarely speak the truth that may be so but I think any discussion of this in Public relates more to whether the war should be prosecuted more in the West or more in the East or which is the more vital place. That is hardly what I meant which was simply Was not Germany looking eastward? When she started out”? And not whether at this stage she is more formidable east or west. This latter is I think the question which Politicians are divided upon & which Carson often refers to. (Though for the life of me I dont know now which he is). However I hope the question will not Keep you awake nights! as it does not me but it is a bit interesting in so far as its a kind of basis which will we have settled upon we cannot set much of a hole in the politics of the big war that is. Perhaps you in your turn might favor me with an answer to the questions “why did the Germans retire”