Tension and Preparation for Emergency Evacuation

Letter to Jim from the American Consulate, September 22, 1938:

"Sir (or Madam):

This office has been considering a plan for assisting Americans in this consular district in the even of an emergency and this letter is the result of a consultation held at the consulate between a few leading Americans.

"I wish to state at the outset that I do not wish to alarm you unduly and that I know no more concerning the possibility of war than appears in the newspapers. The international tension seems to have relaxed somewhat, but it was agreed at the meeting above mentioned that a rough plan of action be outlined.

"The following points were considered:
1. In the event of war, Newcastle-on-Tyne would probably be bombed from the air.
2. Such attack might be made with suddenness leaving no time for evacuation.
3. Events might so shape themselves as to give warning of hostilities and make immediate evacuation desirable.

"In the case of (2), it was agreed that it would be unwise, if not impossible, for Americans to attempt any concerted action. They should place themselves in the hands of the British authorities and adopt such measures for their safety as these recommended. . .

Letter to Jim from American Consulate, Sept. 29, 1938

". . .For your information, there are estimated to be about 125 Americans, including men, women and children, in the four counties comprising this consular district, namely, Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland and Westmorland, and the County Borough of Middlesbrough, Yorkshire; 106 of these are registered at the consulate. If you know of any Americans who are not registered, please ask them to call at the consulate at once. . .

"Very truly yours,
Harold Playter
American Consul."

Letter to Jim from the American Consulate, September 24, 1938:

"Sir (or Madam):

". . .You will have noted that the situation has grown more tense during the past two days. Cook's tourist agency informs this office that a general exodous [sic] westward of Americans has begun. It will be well to remember that if conditions grow worse bookings will be difficult to obtain. . ."

Letter to Jim from the American Consulate, October 1, 1938:

"Sir (or Madam):

Having reference to my former circulars concerning Americans, I now submit a more detailed plan. .

"Points to be remembered:

Transportation:
- Persons traveling in the cars of others can take no more baggage than they can carry in their laps.
- Dress warmly. Take blankets, if possible, and enough bread and tinned meat for two or three days.
-Travel the unfrequented roads to the Etty Farm.
-Send license numbers and description of your cars to the Consulate so that Consulate may be able to save them for confiscation and obtain petrol.

"Key Men:
-Get in touch with your key man at once. At the time of the preparation of this circular the international situation has much improved, but the British Government is still delivering gas masks and taking other precautions, and the Consulate deems it proper to develop this plan. Please cooperate.

"Very truly yours,
Harold Playter
American Consul."

Hitler and The Worry of War

From Robert Telford's (Jim's Dad) letter, Sunday, September 18, 1938:

"My Dear Son,

Robert and Charlotte Telford

I greatly fear that when you are reading this letter there will be a state of war in Europe. The aggressive attitude of the Nazi's in Czecho-Slovakia in their determination to become incorporated in the German Empire and the admirable determination of the Czech's to keep the boundaries of their country just where they are, together with England's vacillating and weak policy toward the whole situation, have created a problem which in  my opinion can only be settled in war. If it must be war then it may as well be now as later. If that mad man in Berlin and his equally mad sattelite [sic] Henlein think that they can realize Kaiser Bill's dream of world dominance, then now is the time to call their bluff. Hitler is depending on his bluff. He knows that war means his doom, and notional suicide for Germany. If Chamberlain could muster enough courage to say to Hitler, and say it with a very significant smile on his face "Don't be silly" the impression and conviction conveyed would jar Herr Adolph worse than the impact of a bullet. Enough has happened already to justify Hitler in carrying out his threats to take the Sudeten Territory by force if necessary, but he isn't doing it. He won't do it until circumstances into which he has forced himself, and from which he cannot back out, force him to fight.

"Well, what am I telling you all of this for anyway, you know as much about it as I do.

Letter and writing sample of Charlotte Telford (Jim's Mother)

"A report has just this moment come over the radio to the effect that Britain and France have agreed that a plebiscite is the only solution to the Czech problem. In the first place the Czechs won't accept it. In the second place, if they do, they may as well hand the disputed territory to Hitler on a silver platter. Well, we haven't had a letter from you this week, I guess you are pretty busy. . .

". . .I want to write a letter to your Uncle Harry and one to your Uncle Bill today, so not having more interesting news for you and wishing to avoid sermonizing at this time I will close. Your check for $35.00 has gone forward and will now be in your pocket. Please tell me how you are faring on this amount and what you have on hand, how your suits are, and if you need anything extra. We don't want you to get shabby or to want for anything.

"Gwen was in and spent a couple of hours last night. She comes in quite often for a visit and we really enjoy her. In fact I don't know what we would do without her. Oh, by the way, when you write to Len you had better address your letter to the new edition of Fred Astaire, same address as usual. Len is now dancing instructor in the ward with Gwen as his partner. So we have changed his name to Fred. His is proud of his job.

"Best respects to everybody over there and kindest regards to you,
 From yours affectionately,
Dad"

From Robert Telford's letter, Sunday, September 25, 1938:

"My Dear Son,

As I start to write I suddenly realize that I have not very much on my mind that I can put into my letter. Naturally, the predominant thought in one's mind is the condition of Europe as it relates to peace or war there. It crowds out of the mind any thoughts of a great many other things, and in spite of every effort to the contrary, remains paramount.  ___________________________
I stopped writing to listen to the International Radio Broadcast of World News during which a flash from London came over saying that the Czechs had notified Chamberlain of England that Hitler's latest statement of conditions giving them to Oct 1st to evacuate the Sudeten area are unacceptable. Unless Hitler backs down this means war. I fail to see how that braying ass can back down now without losing his prestige with his own people and with the rest of the world, and by the same token I see no way to avoid war. Let's hope for the best.

Letter from Jim's Father (Robert), Sept. 25, 1938

"We had Gwen in last night practicing a dance with Len. Len had his young lady in here too, so don't get upset about Gwen with him. He is too infatuated with his own little Dutch girl to have any eyes for Gwen. The little Dutch-ess is quite a sweet little thing . . .

". . .I haven't had a letter from your Uncle Tom Gate yet. Maybe I stumped him with my letter on administration to the sick. Have you ever talked to him about that letter? Rather, I should say, has he ever mentioned it to you? . . Knowing these old non-conformists local preachers as I do, I am mindful of the fact that their knowledge of the bible is limited to a few tenets in the New Testament which apply to certain conditions of salvation . . .I know that it is hard to get these old duffers to change their minds or even get them to think a little on the possibility that there might be something more to the plan of salvation than they already know. So you just have to be patient with them, and realize that you cannot change a lifelong conviction with a single argument, especially when that conviction has been the basis of a man's moral and spiritual attitude and conduct throughout his whole life.

"Tuesday morning, 10:15 o'clock a.m. A radio broadcast has just come in stating the U.S. government has advised all Americans to leave Europe immediately. As this includes England I may as well stop writing because if the governments advice is heeded, this letter will not reach you there, you may be on your way home anytime. So until further developments, I will send our very best regards and am as always,
yours affectionately,
Dad"

Meeting Jim in New York? and the Worry of War

From Gwen's Letter, September 11, 1938:

"My Dearest Sweetheart,

. . . What will you do when you get home and find that you no longer have to write letters. Gee, honey, it seems like half your and my life have been filled with writing letters to each other. Just think from 1933 to 1939 is six years and truly almost half of that courting was done thru letters wasn't it. I can't wait until some cold stormy night when we're cozy and snug together before an open fire reading some of our many letters to each other. Wouldn't that be fun to see in letters how we changed from kids to older kids and from mere acquaintances with dignified 'Dear Jim' to intimate lovers [?]

". . . Last night at the Old Mill was the stake gleaner dance. I asked Lenny to go but it was his girl's birthday, so Stan went with me and Lenny brought his girl. I wasn't going to the Old Mill with anyone but you, but since Berdine and I had to do the entertaining and since I could go with a Telford (the nearest thing to you), I finally decided to go. . .that Lenny has developed into a darn good dancer. It must be a talent with you Telfords. . .We were both recalling memories of other nights at the Mill and in the midst of it all I saw a fellow dancing just in front of us and, darling, he looked so much like you it made my heart almost stop for a minute. He was your height, had hair and features like yours, and danced so smoothly, just like you. Well right then and there I realized how wonderful, how unexplainably satisfying, it would be to go with you again.

Gwen with a friend (Berdine?)

". . .Oh, Jim darling, I was so glad to read in your letter that you wanted me to come back to meet you. I thought perhaps you would rather I didn't, but now I'm really going to do everything in my power to get to come back and meet you. The prices for round trip on the Challenger aren't bad and I'd love a trip like that, and I know Berdine would too. Oh, honey, I'm so excited about it already I can't wait. Do you think we could make arrangements to meet without fail in New York? Oh, if we only could and then if I knew which train you were returning on I could come back with you. Oh, kid, think of the fun we could have seeing those places to-gether. It really would be worth it don't you think so? Would you be able to let me know a little ahead of time just when you would land and all? Maybe I couldn't see Europe with you, but I could surely see the United States with you. . .What makes me feel bad though is that your folks probably want to come just as badly as I do, and if I go do you think they might feel that it is kind of unfair and selfish on my part [?] For a while I thought maybe I could coax dad to drive back and take your folks too, but he says he couldn't possibly get off work at that time of the year.

Union Pacific's Challenger

". . .I hope you're still planning to tour the continent, Jim, that is if they aren't having a war in Europe by March. I'd surely like to see you go see all those wonderful places. . .

". . .Here's to our love, our success, and marriage in the temple on June 19, 1939. Oh, darling, that would be glorious. Now goodnight sweetheart and did I tell you I love you more than anything in this world[?]

"Your Sweetheart, Gwen"

From Gwen's Letter, September 26, 1938:

"My Only Sweetheart,

. . .What do you hear concerning the war over there? Is England really planning to join France against Germany? What difference does that make in your work? Are they really drafting a million young men in England? Well, I guess by the time you read this letter war will either be on or off. We hear so much about it. Almost every fifteen minutes over the radio they announce something concerning it. Oh, kid, I hope Hitler and Mussolini fall down and break their necks or something.

David O. McKay with  Pres. Hugh B. Brown

"Darling, I was surely thrilled to read about the success of your conference and I could have cried when you told me how you were so happy and thrilled to stand and speak before that audience. Isn't it wonderful what missions can do. You must have worked hard to interest 230 people over there. I'm surely proud of you and you bet I've got the account of it in your mission scrap book. From the way you describe President Brown, honey, I would surely love to meet him and be acquainted with him. It's good to have such men as ideals and guides in your life, and with such high ideals Jim, I'm sure you will become as wonderful a man as you set your goal to become. As for me from my acquaintances, I believe I want to be like David O. McKay still, and as for a woman ideal I would aim at Sister Wood. Have you ever heard her speak? She's young and blonde and so full of enthusiasm. She and her husband are now presiding  over the West German mission. . .

". . .Berdine and I are still planning for New York in the spring--that is if you come home. Wouldn't be any fun to go if you decide to stay, but darling after your tour, please hurry home as fast as you really want to.

"So long and remember I love you always.

Your Sweetheart, Gwen"