The Henson Journals

[198]

Monday, October 21st, 1918.

1540th day

I wrote letters, & tried to clear up my table. Then I went off to London to attend the meeting of Bishops. My journey was made interesting by the company and conversation of Mr Shaw, the railway & mining magnate who resides in my diocese. He has recently returned from Paris, & says that Foch declares that, if November be fine, he can end the war before Christmas. He spoke of the demoralizing effects of the war, & gave as an illustration the great increase in pilfering among railway servants & passengers. The G.W.R. had been compelled to cease supplying towels to the lavatories on the trains, as they were generally stolen. A loss of no less than £800 had been incurred form this cause in a brief period. We spoke of the financial situation after the War, & he was as gloomy as I. On arriving at Paddington I went by the Tube to Trafalgar Square. The train was grossly over–crowded, & the atmosphere asphyxiating. I dined at the Athenaeum, where Ker joined me. The evening papers publish Germany's reply to Wilson . It is a careful document, more yielding in appearance than in reality. Meanwhile there are signs that the retreat of the German armies is slowing down, & their resistance growing more determined. The realization of the completeness of disaster which surrender implies may be acting as a tonic on the German nation. Their own frontier is extremely strong, and their armies are still numerous & well–armed. It is incredible that they should not fight to the last before accepting the terms on which the Entente must needs insist.

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