Item 58: Internment camp diary, October 1916-October 1917 - Page 18

<p>[Page 18]</p><p>question only very skilful diplomacy will keep together the various nations that make up the Empire. The venerable presence of the old Emperor prevented many a demonstration that the young monarch won&rsquo;t have the power to stop. Particularly the Czechs will remain a constant source of unrest, and desertions by these miserable beings will no doubt increase. I hate this pack!</p><p>As regards our release, there is another ray of hope after France and Germany sealed a pact to exchange 20,000 civilians. Why am I not interned in France! Hopefully this sets a good example for the English and arouses enough human sentiment in these calculators to let them reach a treaty with Germany.</p><p>The outcome of the referendum is now official and amounts to a resounding &lsquo;no&rsquo; vote. This joke cost a ridiculous &pound;80,000, and the cost of conscripting men for home defence</p>