The Henson Journals

[220]

Monday, April 15th, 1918.

1351st day

Weather still detestable. When the wind moderated, the rain began. There was a rather discourteously–worded letter on the Tithe question in the "Times" by Archdeacon Robinson. I wrote a brief reply & then walked into the village, & called on the Rector. After lunch I went back to London, & again took my quarters in Parker's Hotel. In the Athenaeum I met the Archbishop who told me that the Government, in deference to the Irish, were going to drop the clause which brings the clergy under conscription. He said that he himself regretted this, but that some of the bishops were pleased. Newbolt joined me at dinner, & was most re–assuring about the military situation. He said that the War Office estimate of our losses placed them at about 100,000. The German losses were variously estimated at any number between 300,000 and 500,000. I walked back to the Hotel through torrents of rain.

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