17/1/19
My dear Father
My latest letters from Mary gave news of your visit to her. I hope you found both of them well and enjoyed the change. No doubt Baby has developed a lot since you last saw her.
I'm very disappointed at this hitch in my leave and up to the present have no definite news about it, only vague assurances that it will only be a matter of a few days. But the days pass and there's no sign of it again. It is really urgently necessary to get back soon if I'm ever to get demobilised, one can get no information this side so far. I see they are already beginning to reconsider their demobilisation plans, for if they're not careful when at length our peace terms are drawn up and presented to Germany we shall have no Army to enforce them if objections are raised. But that shouldn't prevent a rapid and steady stream homewards of men with more than 3 years' service. This "pivotal" business is all very well but it's a first-rate opportunity for the fraudulent to operate as they did before with some tribunals. I believe that less attention to the "pivotal" men and more to the long service men will in the long run pay the country best by leaving the least grounds for discontent.
When one looks at the general situation in Europe, the difficulties ahead of the Peace Conference and of national governments it is obvious that we have to beware of many troubles ahead. The time for shouting hasn't yet arrived.
I'm glad to have later news of Cyril and hope his long deferred leave home is soon to come, or better still his demobilisation.
With love to you all.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
