DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Mabel C. Williams, 1920 | 1920-12-04 Robert M. Browning to Dr. Mabel C. Williams Page 2

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Robert Morriss Browning correspondence to Mabel C. Williams, 1920

1920-12-04 Robert M. Browning to Dr. Mabel C. Williams Page 2

of books consolidating the records of the two offices that have been functioning separately. It means I do about three men's work and carry enough property on my paper to bankrupt me for life if I'd ever get stuck with half of it. I don't know why I should be picked on this way. I suppose some one put a bug in the General's ear that I had too much time on my hands, as I put in a request for a three week's leave to visit Italy & England via Switzerland, France & Belgium. I don't know whether I'm going or not. I asked for leave "effective 8 December or if this be impossible the 8th January." You'll know in a week or so after you get this letter if I go, as I'll send you a flock of post cards.
When I do get away I'm hoping to run across to Tunis for a day or two just to see if Africa is really different from Europe. It may seem foolish but I don't know whether I'll ever get away again, owing to the uncertainty of the new administration, and I want to see a little of as many of the famous places as I can.
Haven't been anywhere for some time, as my "store" has kept me pretty busy, and we've been putting on reviews and inspections on Saturdays. Failing in my attempt to go to Italy I'm going to spend a few weekends at the Wiesbaden opera. Haven't yet visited Wiesbaden, although its only about four hours from Coblenz. - Of course, Coblenz in an hour and a half or two hours from here by train, - half that by auto, so that it isn't as simple as it sounds,especially when one considers train connections, which are not especially good.
The chaplain was up for an hour or two this afternoon according to custom and he reported snow just before he came in but it soon turned to a misty rain again. This winter or fall I should say has been much clearer than last fall. It has rained only about two thirds of the time since the first part of November which last year it rained nearly nine tenths of the time. We've had sunshine several times a week, too, instead of just several minutes a month, as last year at this season.
Fred Kent promised me a copy of the Daily Iowan homecoming edition which I am eager to see. we got reports on the football games through the Amaroc and the Paris editions of the Tribune. Iowa seemed to have a rather erratic bunch this year. Judging form what one learns from one or two accounts of games played - the Chicago game was the only one I read much about - and from comparative scores it would seem that there much have been internal dissension or jealousy or something.
Earl writes of considerable anti Japanese feeling, especially in the West. Now that you have a voice in the affairs of state what are you going to do about it? You know I've lost my vote so it's up to you. What is the attitude of the people in general toward a system of military training that will enable the nation to defend itself without the sorry delay attending our entry into the "First World War." Have they still got the idea that by merely being rich and fat we are immune from envious or avaricious attack? Do they realize that the ability we have demonstrated to put an untrained "army" of a million men

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of books consolidating the records of the two offices that have been functioning separately. It means I do about three men's work and carry enough property on my paper to bankrupt me for life if I'd ever get stuck with half of it. I don't know why I should be picked on this way. I suppose some one put a bug in the General's ear that I had too much time on my hands, as I put in a request for a three week's leave to visit Italy & England via Switzerland, France & Belgium. I don't know whether I'm going or not. I asked for leave "effective 8 December or if this be impossible the 8th January." You'll know in a week or so after you get this letter if I go, as I'll send you a flock of post cards. When I do get away I'm hoping to run across to Tunis for a day or two just to see if Africa is really different from Europe. It may seem foolish but I don't know whether I'll ever get away again, owing to the uncertainty of the new administration, and I want to see a little of as many of the famous places as I can. Haven't been anywhere for some time, as my "store" has kept me pretty busy, and we've been putting on reviews and inspections on Saturdays. Failing in my attempt to go to Italy I'm going to spend a few weekends at the Wiesbaden opera. Haven't yet visited Wiesbaden, although its only about four hours from Coblenz. - Of course, Coblenz in an hour and a half or two hours from here by train, - half that by auto, so that it isn't as simple as it sounds,especially when one considers train connections, which are not especially good. The chaplain was up for an hour or two this afternoon according to custom and he reported snow just before he came in but it soon turned to a misty rain again. This winter or fall I should say has been much clearer than last fall. It has rained only about two thirds of the time since the first part of November which last year it rained nearly nine tenths of the time. We've had sunshine several times a week, too, instead of just several minutes a month, as last year at this season. Fred Kent promised me a copy of the Daily Iowan homecoming edition which I am eager to see. we got reports on the football games through the Amaroc and the Paris editions of the Tribune. Iowa seemed to have a rather erratic bunch this year. Judging form what one learns from one or two accounts of games played - the Chicago game was the only one I read much about - and from comparative scores it would seem that there much have been internal dissension or jealousy or something. Earl writes of considerable anti Japanese feeling, especially in the West. Now that you have a voice in the affairs of state what are you going to do about it? You know I've lost my vote so it's up to you. What is the attitude of the people in general toward a system of military training that will enable the nation to defend itself without the sorry delay attending our entry into the "First World War." Have they still got the idea that by merely being rich and fat we are immune from envious or avaricious attack? Do they realize that the ability we have demonstrated to put an untrained "army" of a million men