Arthur Conan Doyle. Project1917

London, United Kingdom

08.01.18

I have no ill feeling against you, but we have suffered so heavily in this country from the policy of your rulers, which has never been in any way apologised for or atoned for by your people, that we all have a horror of Germany and all things connected with it. Hardly a family in the land has escaped loss, rich or poor, and all because we were placed in the dilemma ofeither incurring these losses, or forfeiting our nation's honour for ever by breaking our solemn promise to defend Belgium. We chose the path of honour and duty but it has cost us dear and we have no love for those who as Prince Lichnowsky's report shows, forced us into such a position against every effort our Statesmen could make. That will be the feeling of all this generation of Britons, but a full admission of error and expression of sorrow may at last bring an appeasement.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

31.12.17

Sir, — I have the utmost respect for the Bishop of Winchester, but when he talks of hating the sin but not hating the sinner he gets into a metaphysical region which, to me at least, has no relation to fact. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

17.08.17

Россия стала выгребной ямой. Германия так и не раскаялась в страшном грехе материализма, который стал главной причиной войны. Испания и Италия скатились — одна в пучину атеизма, другая — предрассудков. У Франции нет религиозного идеала. Англия потеряла ориентацию и погрузилась в хаос, в ней расплодились нелепые, оторванные от жизни секты. Америка не сумела реализовать свои превосходные возможности, и вместо того чтобы стать любящей сестрой сокрушенной и израненной Европе, занялась собственным экономическим благоустройством; она отреклась от подписи своего президента и отказалась присоединиться к Лиге Наций — единственной надежде человечества.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

17.08.17

Russia became a cesspool. Germany was unrepentant of her terrible materialism which had been the prime cause of the war. Spain and Italy were sunk in alternate atheism and superstition. France had no religious ideal. Britain was confused and distracted, full of wooden sects which had nothing of life in them. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

25.06.17

It may be of interest to remind your readers how completely, judged by every test, the British soldiers have mastered the German during the war. See more

After the foolish gibe of the Emperor, and the constant sneers of the German Press, which made merry for so long over our attempts to raise an army, it is instructive to get down to the actual figures, which would be infinitely more favourable if it were not for the losses in the first week of actual fighting, when we were in the presence of forces which outnumbered us by five to one.

In prisoners we have at least double, the British prisoners in Germany being about 34,000 in number, while we have close upon 70,000 Germans. Only during the Mons retreat have the Germans taken any considerable number of prisoners from us. Our losses during that week came to nearly 15,000 men. On the other hand, on the Marne, at Loos, again and again at the Somme, on the Ancre, and now at Arras and the Vimy Ridge, we have made captures which run into thousands.

The comparison of captured guns is even more remarkable. Our losses during the Mons retreat may be put at about 60, the great majority of which were at the glorious defeat of Le Cateau. Afterwards, the guns which we have lost could be counted upon the fingers of one's hands. There were two at the La Bassee action in October 1914, four heavy guns in the poison gas action of April 23, 1915, and possibly one or two at different times, but the total certainly could not exceed 70.

Against this, we have up to date taken about 200 in the present fighting, and 140 in the fighting on the Somme. Eight were taken in the Battery L action and four by the cavalry next day. Six were taken by the Lincolns on September 9, and about a dozen others, mostly disabled, during the Marne retreat. Twenty-one were taken at Loos.

Altogether, our total amounts approximately to 400 guns, as against 70 which we have lost. It would be well if some prominence could be given to such figures in those little neutral countries where it is not yet understood that the German soldier has found his master. The superstition of Prussian supremacy never rested upon any very firm basis, and now it has been destroyed for ever. Giving our enemies credit for all the military virtues which they undoubtedly possess, it has none the less been clearly shown that brave slaves led by clever fiends can and will be beaten by freemen led by gentlemen.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

Windlesham, Crowborough

25.06.17

It may be of interest to remind your readers how completely, judged by every test, the British soldiers have mastered the German during the war. After the foolish gibe of the Emperor, and the constant sneers of the German Press, which made merry for so long over our attempts to raise an army, it is instructive to get down to the actual figures, which would be infinitely more favourable if it were not for the losses in the first week of actual fighting, when we were in the presence of forces which outnumbered us by five to one. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

07.06.17

Up to this we only had two clay walls to look at. But now our interminable and tropical walk was lightened by the sight of a British aeroplane sailing overhead. Numerous shrapnel bursts were all around it, but she floated on serenely, a thing of delicate beauty against the blue background. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

05.05.17

It was in the early summer of 1916 that I had a note from Lord Newton, saying that he wished to see me at the Foreign Office. I could not conceive what he wanted to see me about, but of course I went. Lord Newton seemed to be doing general utility work which involved the interests of our prisoners in Germany, as well as press arrangements, missions, etc. The former alone would be enough for anyone, and he was exposed to severe criticism for not being sufficiently zealous in the cause. "Newton, the Teuton," sang the prisoners, a parody on "Gilbert, the Filbert," one of the idiotic popular songs of pre-war days. However, I am convinced that he really did his very best, and that his policy was wise, for if it came to an interchange of revenge and barbarity between Germany and us, there was only one in it. There is no use starting a game in which you are bound to be beaten. Winston Churchill had tried it in the case of the submarine officers, with the result that thirty of our own picked officers had endured much in their prisons and the policy had to be reconsidered.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

New York, USA

22.04.17

If such a view of Christianity were generally accepted, and if it were enforced by assurance and demonstration from the New Revelation which is coming to us from the other side, then we should have a creed which might unite the churches, which might be reconciled to science, which might defy all attacks, and which might carry the Christian Faith on for an indefinite period. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

New York, USA

20.04.17

Consider the awful condition of the world before this thunder-bolt struck it. Could anyone, tracing back down the centuries and examining the record of the wickedness of man, find anything which could compare with the story of the nations during the last twenty years! Think of the condition of Russia during that time, with her brutal aristocracy and her drunken democracy, her murders on either side, her Siberian horrors, her Jew baitings and her corruption.

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Arthur Conan Doyle with David Lloyd George

10, Downing st., London, United Kingdom

10.04.17

I find in my diary that the Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, invited me to breakfast in April 1917. Some third person was, I understand, to have been present, but he did not arrive, so that I found myself alone in the classic dining-room of No. 10, Downing Street, while my host was finishing his toilet. See more

Presently he appeared, clad in a grey suit, smart and smiling, with no sign at all that he bore the weight of the great European War upon his shoulders. Nothing could have been more affable or democratic, for there was no servant present, and he poured out the tea, while I, from a side table, brought the bacon and eggs for both. He had certainly the Celtic power of making one absolutely at one's ease, for there was no trace at all of pomp or ceremony—just a pleasant, smiling, grey-haired but very virile gentleman, with twinkling eyes and a roguish smile. No doubt there are other aspects, but that is how he presented himself that morning.
He began by talking about the great loss which the country had sustained in Lord Kitchener's death, speaking of him in a very kindly and human way. At the same time he was of opinion that long tropical service and the habit of always talking down to subordinates had had some effect upon his mind and character. He was a strange mixture of rather morose inactivity and sudden flashes of prevision which amounted to genius. He was the only man who had clearly foreseen the length of the war, and but for Turkey, Bulgaria, and other complications he probably overstated it at three years. There were times when he became so dictatorial as to be almost unbearable, and he had to be reminded at a Cabinet Council by Lloyd George himself that he was in the presence of twenty men who were his peers, and that he could not refuse them information or act above their heads. I confess that it struck me as very natural that a big man with vital knowledge in his brain should hesitate in a world crisis to confide it to twenty men, and probably twenty wives, each of whom was a possible leak. In spite of his genius Kitchener was not accessible to new ideas. He could not see clearly why such enormous munitions were necessary. He opposed tanks. He was against the Irish and Welsh separate divisions. He refused the special flags which the ladies had worked for these divisions. He was as remote from sentiment as a steam hammer, and yet he was dealing with humans who can be influenced by sentiment. He obstructed in many things, particularly in the Dardanelles. On the other hand, his steps in organizing the new armies were splendid, though he had attempted—vainly—to do away with the Territorials, another example of his blindness to the practical force of sentiment. Miss Asquith had said of him, "If he is not a great man he is a great poster," and certainly no one else could have moved the nation to such a degree, though the long series of provocations from the Germans had made us very receptive and combative.
Lloyd George was justly proud of the splendid work of the Welsh Division at the front. He had been to Mametz Wood, the taking of which had been such a bloody, and also such a glorious, business. He listened with interest to an account which I was able to give him of some incidents in that fight, and said that it was a beautiful story. He had arranged for a Welsh painter to do the scene of the battle.
He was interested to hear how I had worked upon my history, and remarked that it was probably better done from direct human documents than from filed papers. He asked me whether I had met many of the divisional Generals, and on my saying that I had, he asked me if any had struck me as outstanding among their fellows. I said I thought they were a fine level lot, but that in soldiering it was impossible to say by mere talk or appearance who was the big man at a pinch. He agreed. He seemed to have a particular feeling towards General Tom Bridges, of the 19th Division, and shortly afterwards I noticed that he was chosen for the American mission.
I talked to him about my views as to the use of armour, and found him very keen upon it. He is an excellent listener, and seems honestly interested in what you say. He said he had no doubt that in the problem of armour lay the future of warfare, but how to carry it was the crux. He said that the soldiers always obstructed the idea—which was my experience also—with a few notable exceptions. I mentioned General Watts of the 7th Division as being interested in armour, and he agreed and seemed to know all about Watts who, though a "dug-out," was one of the finds of the war.
He was much excited about the revolution in Russia, news of which had only just come through. The Guards had turned, and that meant that all had turned. The Tsar was good but weak. The general character and probable fate of the Tsarina were not unlike those of Marie Antoinette—in fact, the whole course of events was very analogous to the French Revolution. "Then it will last some years and end in a Napoleon," said I. He agreed. The revolt, he said, was in no sense pro-German. The whole affair had been Byzantine, and reminded one of the old histories.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

07.04.17

I find in my diary that the Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, invited me to breakfast in April 1917. Some third person was, I understand, to have been present, but he did not arrive, so that I found myself alone in the classic dining-room of No. 10, Downing Street, while my host was finishing his toilet. Presently he appeared, clad in a grey suit, smart and smiling, with no sign at all that he bore the weight of the great European War upon his shoulders. See more

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Igor Stravinsky

Rome, Italy

18.03.17

Diagilev went to Rome where the "Russian ballet" season is set to begin. He asked me to come and conduct The Firebird and Fireworks, for which he hired the Italian futurist Balla to do a special kind of illustrative set with light effects. I went to Rome. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

22.02.17

Consider the awful condition of the world before this thunder-bolt struck it. Could anyone, tracing back down the centuries and examining the record of the wickedness of man, find anything which could compare with the story of the nations during the last twenty years! Think of the condition of Russia during that time, with her brutal aristocracy and her drunken democracy, her murders on either side, her Siberian horrors, her Jew baitings and her corruption.

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex

06.02.17

Is it not possible in any way to hold in cheek the vile women who at present prey upon and poison our soldiers in London ? A friend of mine who is a Special Constable in harlot-haunted district has described to me how these harpies carry off the lonely soldiers to their rooms, make them drunk often with the vile liquor which they keep there, and finally inoculate them, as likely as not, with one or other of those diseases which, thanks to the agitation, of well-meaning fools, have had free trade granted to them amongst us. Our present policy is to shut the museums — the most pitiful economy ever effected by a great nation — but to keep open the brothels. The lad from over the seas who has for the first and perhaps for the last time in his life a few clear days in the great centre of his race, cannot carry away any recollections of its treasures of art and antiquity, but is forced into contact with what is least reputable in our metropolitan life. All honour to the Union Jack Club, the Y.M.C.A., and all the other associations which try to mitigate this state of affairs, but it is a case for general legislation and not for sporadic individual effort. It will be a poor return for what our Colonies have done for us if we return their splendid lads the worse in body and in Soul.

Yours faithfully,

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex.

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