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[L.S. Amery]

[JAS - JB's reply to this, 24 May 1927,
is in the Amery Papers, File G86]

Dominions Office,
Downing Street S.W.1.

[ST - Empire tour]
May 21st 1927

My dear John

The more I think of it the more certain I am
that you and Susie ought to come with us. I do think
it is important to make a real sucess of this Empire
pilgrimage of mine and you would be invaluable to me in
stimulating me with ideas for speeches and in helping with
speeches of your own when required, as well as with your
personality. I will say nothing about the pleasure of
having you as a companion.

From your own point of view, too, I cannot but
think it would help greatly. Your strongest line after
all is the Imperial one. On that you have a considerable
body of past experience which however no one in the House
knows anything about. By going round the whole Empire
with me you will be definitely marked out as someone
specially entitled to intervene on Imperial questions
and you will as it were give new value to your old
experience. With your wonderful power of writing you