Transcription: Left side   Geneva, 9 Contamines, February 25th, 1941. My dear Kiernan, I have for a couple of months had the intention of sending you a word to say "Thank you" to you and your Colleagues for the Irish programmes. Apart from the fact that I think they have greatly improved, it is a particular pleasure in these days to be able to get an atmosphere of home through the ether. The series of talks on Irish Art and Science is so far, particularly good and it cheers one to hear clear-sighted and independent views. And then there are the ballads, but I wish I were lucky enough some day to hear "Miss Murphy" sing "A Galway spinning song"; I think that is the name of one of the most exquisite little Irish songs I ever heard sung by your wife on a record. Question Time, of course is amusing and interesting; and there are times when one waits with interest and some anxiety the news. I do hope our preparations for defence are seriously being pushed ahead; just as we may not yet abandon hope that they will not be needed, there have been signs that the people are awakened to the very real danger. Our people have been very fortunate so far and though difficult times undoubtedly lie ahead, vigilance should be unremitting and preparations most intensely pursued. James Joyce passed through Geneva a couple of weeks before he died. It was the first time I met him and you would have been interested in the conversation. I asked him if he did not think of going home and he replied that he was attached daily to Ireland by "an umbilical cord", which turned out to refer to Radio Eireann. He was an assiduous listener-in and we discussed the programmes like two fans. I suppose you have met him, but I found him very gentle and quite unspoiled and not at all "precious" as some of his lesser literary followers. I was probably the last Irishman with whom he talked.  Right side   -2-  Note   min at Berlin When I was last home, I was told of your new appointment which has not so far materialized. Personally, I think you are lucky, although it would have been a strength to have had you in that particular post. People from the American and other Embassies in that city tell me the young man is doing extremely well. At last I have found a moment to express my appreciation of the Irish programmes. (x) In doing so I am sure I am echoing many others, exiled by duty. At any rate, I hope to come across you next time I can walk the streets of Dublin's fair City. Sincerely, (x) The American folk songs were delightful and their presentation a brain wave. Tell Durnin his old colleagues are always glad to hear his pleasant voice and that Erim (Turkish) listens to him nightly. It's a pity the short wave seems to be a wash-out, especially now that winter hours are passing.

Transcription: 67 blieb schwer verwundet liegen. Die Melder,die erst das Gewehr um- hängten,fanden die Franzosen schon am Kellereingang, es sollen übrigens Tschechen gewesen sein.Das Unglück pflanzte sich fort noch weit ins erste Batl.hinein.Die Batl.Stäbe wurden erst durch einzelne Flüchtlinge aufgeschreckt und konnten nichts tun als sich mit einer Nachhut zurückziehen.Noch vor Tagesanbruch wurden die Adjutanten zum Reg.bestellt wobei ich mitging.Man konnte den Reg,Adjutanten kaum durch Rütteln wachbekommen und brachte ihn au auch so ungern in die Wirklichkeit zurück.Die Stärkemeldungen der Komp. waren auch zu schlimm.Unteroffz.  1Mann,oder 5 Mann waren Komp.Stärkeen.Nur die M.G.Komp.die teilweisen rückwärtige Nester besetzt hatten zählten noch bis 20 Mann.Das ganze Regiment,mit den Manschaften und Stäben hatte etwa 120 Mann.Jeder war wie vor den Kopf geschlagen.Gerade die frische Tapferkeit der letzten Zeit machte die Verluste so schwer.Man hatte bei den Gefechten vor Origny das Reg.noch einmal besonders schätzen gelernt,sich mit Stolz dabei beheimatet gefühlt,noch am Morgen der schönste Erfolg und am Abend war das Reg. vernichtet.Die einzelnen tapfer- en Taten von denen auch erzählt wurde,von den M.G.Leuten,die sich mit M.G.dann mit Gewehr und schliesslich mit Revolver ge- wehrt hatten,machten die Verluste nur schmerzlich.Und doch blieben diese 120 Mann - einige Dutzend Versprengte mögen noch dazu ge- kommen sein - noch weiter im Gefecht.Sie wurden eben neu eingeteilt An Herausziehen war bei den neuerlichen Verlusten noch weniger zu denken als früher.Bald stand das Regiment wegen Abwehr von Tank- angriffen im Tagesbericht.Diese neuen Kämpfe erlebte ich nicht mehr an der Front.BatlStab brauchte man höchstens einen,darum wurden wir mit 1/464 gleich wieder zurückgeschickt.Es ging zu Fuss,da die Pferde schon weg waren.Wieder überraschte einem hin- ten die Fülle von Artillerie und Tross im Gegensatz zu der zusam- geschmolzenen Frontinfanterie.Die Oisebrücke wurde zum Spren- gen eingerichtet,Man sah wieder Civilisten,die ihre Habselig- keiten auf Kinderwagen usw,fortschafften.Die ganze Gegend war zu- dem mit Flüchtlingen aus früheren Kriegsjahren bevölkert.Die,bei denen wir in Moncan Kaffee tranken,wollten diesmal bleiben und ich glaube,es fand diesmal keine zwangsweise Abbeförderung statt weil die Arbeit zu gross gewesen war,Die Franzosen brachten in die letzten Kriegswochen noch viel Elend auch auf ihre Mitbürger, unnötigerweise,in der vergeblichen Hoffnung einen Zusammenbruch unserer Front zu erleben.Mich beschäftigte aber zunächst mein Urlaub.Den Schein hatte ich schon lang und jetzt die Erlaubnis sofort bei oder der angekündigten Aufhebung der Urlaubssperre wer- de verlängert(wie es auch kam).Den Befehl wollten wir (noch ein Kamerad vom 1.Batl. war in der gleichen Lage) nicht abwarten,wir nahmen also noch ein Reisetag mehr dazu,verabschiedeten uns schrift lich vom Regiment und fuhren gleich am nächsten Morgen an die Bahn nach La Capelle.Der angebliche 7 Uhr Zug fuhr aber nicht,über haupt kein Zug mit Sicherheit,so fuhren wir mit unserm Gespann weiter nach Hirson auf der Strasse,auf der später die Waffenstill-- standsparlamentäre fuhren,jetzt noch Etappe mit Molkereien und Pferdelazaretten.Jn Hirson ging auch sobald kein Zug,man traf nur Offiziere die aus dem Urlaub kamen.Z.B.unsern Rittmeister.Einige Fliegerangriffe fanden noch am Nachmittag statt,dann konnte ich am Abend mit dem Kölner Schnellzug fahren.Jn Belgien bekam er 12 Std. Verspätung,fuhr aber dann schnell durch.Mit Aufenthalt in Köln &

Transcription: Left side   League affairs at the Quai d'Orsay, gave the most categorical  denial to the rumours. He said that France had no such intention and that furthermore it would be contrary to the general policy being followed by France which was to await developments, to take no initiative whatever in the field of international affairs. This denial was confirmed by a message sent to me a few days later through the French Consul in Geneva. Notification from the Vichy Government has not yet reached me, but French newspapers are reported as containing a reserve to decide later on the question of maintaining relations with the ILO and the technical Institutions attached to the League. I shall have more detailed information before this letter is despatched from French officials who have been at Vichy this week. The general conviction in circles in touch with French opinion is unanimously that the announcement is related first to the development of Admiral Darlan's policy of collaboration and more immediately with the military events in the Balkans and North Africa. On the assumption that France will fulfil her obligations financially during the two years, it could be held that from the point of view of collaboration the situation will not be much changed. The most serious effect is obviously in the political field and more particularly in the repercussions on certain other States. This will be especially the case with regard to Switzerland. We may well see a recurrence of the policy noted during last Autumn. Indeed, I have very good grounds for regarding the coldness, the refusal to maintain close contacts, the pin-pricking and even under-mining of the modus vivendi, as a deliberate policy on the part of the Dépar-  Right side   tement Politique.  In saying so I am not overlooking the difficult position of Switzerland in view of the change in the balance of power in Europe.  The reversal of French policy will I feel sure lead to a weakening of the position of the League in Switzerland and open a new chapter in many respects. 16 May.   Later events & information do not point to a direct German request. Darlan mely prefaced the execution of his pro-German programme, including a visit to th eFuhrer, use of Syrian aerodromes, etc with this beaugeste of cutting with France's bad past! An article by John Elliott from Vichy, "New  York Times" confirms this point of view.

Transcription: Saturday, April 19, 1941. 10.30 a.m. The question of France leaving the League was first hinted last August and my information was that although the question was discussed, it was felt in the Council of Ministers at Vichy that as no request to this effect had been received from Germany, it would be a gesture without usefulness or value. The withdrawal of the French Secretary- General was regarded at the time as adequate and was represented as showing that in the present circumstances France was making no pretension to a commensurate role in international affairs. There were rumours from time to time in the following months (and while they seem reasonably reliable, one must remark on them in reserve) regarding the Vichy attitude which was that no quid pro quo seemed to be offered. About the beginning of December however, serious reports arrived that M. Laval's cabinet had taken a decision in principle to leave the League, but that its application was postponed. There were even rumours from ILO quarters that the intention would be to leave the League and stay in the ILO. In view of the constitutional character of the ILO it seemed to me extremely unlikely as it is and has been regarded by the Axis Powers as equally objectionable in their eyes. Indeed Germany has already set up in Berlin an embryo equivalent of the ILO, has assembled substantial staff and has begun a publication dealing from a totalitarian point of view with the problems interesting labour. About six weeks ago, I took the opportunity offered by a visit of a  French colleague to Vichy to have a sounding made as to rumours of France leaving the League. These rumours had been revived on the occasion of the decision to pay from American reserves the balance of last year's contribution. M. Arnal, Minister Plenipotnetiary who has been for years in charge of

Description: Hierarchie: Großherzogliches Familienarchiv (Eigentum des Hauses Baden) und Markgräfliches/Großherzogliches Familienarchiv: Nachträge >> Einzelne Angehörige des Hauses Baden >> [13 A] Luise Großherzogin von Baden (1838-1923) >> Familie, Hof, Regierung >> Soziales, Wohltätigkeit >> Badischer Frauenverein >> Geschäftsberichte >> Berichtserien >> Dr. Sophie Sautier [Präsidentin von Abteilung V]

Description: Hierarchie: Großherzogliches Familienarchiv (Eigentum des Hauses Baden) und Markgräfliches/Großherzogliches Familienarchiv: Nachträge >> Einzelne Angehörige des Hauses Baden >> [13 A] Luise Großherzogin von Baden (1838-1923) >> Familie, Hof, Regierung >> Soziales, Wohltätigkeit >> Badischer Frauenverein >> Geschäftsberichte >> Berichtserien >> Dr. Sophie Sautier [Präsidentin von Abteilung V]

Description: Marriage certificate Autograph album || Family brought along just a marriage certificate and an album and drawings.

Description: Hierarchie: Großherzogliches Familienarchiv (Eigentum des Hauses Baden) und Markgräfliches/Großherzogliches Familienarchiv: Nachträge >> Einzelne Angehörige des Hauses Baden >> [13 A] Luise Großherzogin von Baden (1838-1923) >> Familie, Hof, Regierung >> Erziehung, Schulen >> Victoria-Schule und -Pensionat >> Berichtserien >> Emilie Göler von Ravensburg [?-?, Oberin des Viktoria-Pensionats Karlsruhe und der Filiale Baden-Baden 1917-1920/1923]

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