The Henson Journals

[59]

Friday, November 30th, 1917.

1215th day

I bade farewell to Ernest and his sister, and went to Victoria, whence I travelled to Canterbury, and arrived in time for lunch. Mrs Spooner was on the door–step, when my cab drove up. After lunch I walked with the Archdeacon, and enjoyed much pleasant conversation, and wonderful views of the Cathedral. I was interested in the conversation of a young officer, a son of Canon Bickersteth, who was home from the Front. He expressed opinions which might not unfairly be described as pacificist [sic]. Lord Lansdowne's letter in yesterday's issue of the Daily Telegraph gives immense pleasure & encouragement to the peace–mongers. The fact that it had been declined by the "Times" adds to its importance. It is of course well–written, and lofty in conception, but after reading it carefully twice over, I am reluctantly constrained to conclude that it leads nowhere. For none of the inexorable and indispensable questions which bar the approaches to negociation are fairly faced, still less answered. In Germany's present situation, and in the present temper of the German people, there is no visible basis for any peace which would be tolerable or permanent. Thus the only effects of Lord L.'s well–intentioned effort must be to hearten the shirkers, stimulate the feeling of "war–weariness", increase the volume of pacificist [sic] sentiment, sow distrust between the Allies, encourage Germany, & weaken Britain. This is truly a lamentable consequence of a high–minded and, in the circumstances, very courageous action.

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