| Description | Dictated letter [in M.E. Chamberlain's hand] written from Villa Victoria, Cannes [France], dated 13 April. Chamberlain replies to Milner [1849-1931; MP] expressing his satisfaction in knowing that [his son] Austen will follow him in West Birmingham [Sir Austen Chamberlain, 1863-1937; member for West Birmingham from 1914 until his death]. Chamberlain responds to Milner's comments on [Horatio Herbert] Kitchener's work in Egypt, saying 'I have always had a good opinion of him' [1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, 1850-1916; British Agent and Consul-General in Egypt, 1911-1914; British Secretary of State for War from 1914]. He makes reference to 'recent events in England', writing: 'on the whole I think in the end things will come right, though at the moment they do not look very promising. The Government has much to answer for'. There is some poignancy in Chamberlain wishing Milner better health and describing his hopes of being back [in England] in the next month after a good winter when he himself was to die less than three months later, on 3 July 1914. |