William Clark Breckenridge Letter to William Porter - November 26, 1915

Transcript

St. Louis, [Missouri] November 26th, 1915. Dr. William Porter, While-A-Way Lodge, Ocean Springs, [Mississippi]. Dear Friend:- Your letter of November 21st received enclosing one from Sir Gilbert Parker which I have read with a great deal of interest. I based my criticism of the workingmen of Great Britain and their leaders upon private letters and clippings from English newspapers which I have read; and comparing the acts of the Unions of Great Britain with the acts of the Union men in other countries involved in this war, I can not but feel that the comparison is very unfavorable to the Unions of Great Britain. They seem to be too just to themselves to ever be just to others. Ask Sir Gilbert of these same Union men of Great Britain will be willing to voluntarily make the necessary sacrifices to and in rebuilding their country after this destructive war is over. All parties to this Titanic struggle are approaching physical and financial exhaustion. By Easter next the exhaustion will be complete, and the war over. The war has reached its most critical stage now. The small buffer states of Europe are now having it brought forcibly home to them that the only way for them to escape annihilation is to promptly take sides with that party which is willing and able to preserve their integrity. The next sixty days will see every one of them lined up, and taking part in the war. This will be the beginning of the end. The English diplomats have the opportunity of an epoch to make an undying fame by handling a delicate situation with both wisdom and discretion. For the side which gets the help of the most of these buffer states will win a fight so that it will stay won. I hope that you have seen all the discussion regarding Patience Worth in our St. Louis Papers. None of the writers explain the mystery-for I fear that the explanation of it has never dawned upon them. Dr. George Payne gave us a Psychological explanation which did not explain anything. Dr. Prince of Boston made a fool of himself. What is needed is more commonsense and less credulity. Mrs Curran is under too high tension and I fear for the result. I studied her face with interest the night of our meeting -she is keyed too high. With kindest regards to yourself and Mrs Porter, I remain Sincerely your friend [William] Clark B P.S.--I herewith return Sir Gilbert Parker’s letter.