2110-3-7-19

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA. UNIE VAN ZUID-AFRIKA.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, DEPARTEMENT VAN VERDEDIGING.

At Capetown,

25th March, 1920.

My dear Buchan,

It was exceedingly good of you to send me your book about the South African Forces in France and I am very much pleased with it as it combines with the skill of your illustrious pen, a really intelligible military record of the splendid performance of our gallant fellows with a most readable and interesting narrative for popular consumption.

I allow myself a small pat-back on the back for originating the idea to approach you and for putting the kybosh on the horrid suggestion to make Gertrude Page the hornblower.

There is one point about the publication which I regret, namely that the Union Govenrment did not come forward and undertake the entire financial responsibbility for the publication. This I had fully contemplated would be done and in my humble opinion should have been done, but I understand from old Mills that Generals Botha and Smuts when together in England decided otherwise.

This I understand made it necessary to curtail the size and scope of the volume a good deal which is probably a pity though I must confess I was pleasantly surprised to find how full and complete and well got up the volume is.

I am sure General Smuts is very grateful to you as we all are and that you will receive many tokens of the warm appreciation of good South Africans for your work and trouble.

With best of good wishes and repeated thanks.

Yours very sincerely,

H. Roland M Bourne

Colonel John Buchan, Elsfield Manor, Oxford, England.