DLA019-0229  Transcription  

Little Hickmans

Fordcombe

Nr. Tunbridge Wells

29th Nov. 1932

Dear Mr. de Laslo [sic],

I am monstrously sorry to have given you this trouble for nothing except only the redeeming fact that it will afford one the pleasure of making your personal acquaintance. I do not quite understand Fohn^[1] whom I liked and for whose financial difficulties I felt very much. The circumstance that he gave me a guarantee that the sketch was by you and that you would sign it if I asked you to do so, (I send you the paper which he wrote) rather puzzles me.^[2] I cannot believe that he intentionally deceived me as I had helped him a little and never asked for repayment. In fact I admired his work and organised an exhibition at Venice of his paintings. I bought from him a picture of one of my boy Scouts which is much admired. I was also attracted by him, as myself a soldier, from the fact that

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he had served in the Austrian Artillery, and for Austro-Hungary, though quondam enemies. I have the most profound sympathy. The whole story to any mind is disgusting as War indeed with all its effects is so – with its brutality and village pump ideals,

These may seem to you strong opinions coming from me who was but a soldier but I have taken part in two and a half wars – the half being the Irish Rebellion of 1916 – and so I do not speak without experienced conviction. I have one of the last letters Baroness v Suttner^[3] ever wrote.

However when we meet we shall have much to talk about no doubt at this extraordinary moment of History.

I remain

With kind regards

Yours very truly

Francis Fletcher Vane of Hutton.

I have received back the sketch and thank you for it.

O.E. Laslo [sic] de Lombos Esq. C.B.E.

Editorial Note:

Sir Francis Patrick Fletcher Vane, 5th Baronet of Hutton (1861–1934), British Army officer, author and boy scout leader.

SMDL

01/07/2018