1 Dear Laddie
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3 Yesterday we had a man to lunch with us Collins, Reuter’s General
4Manager in Australia. He is a man of considerable intelligence & much
5influence in journalistic world. He is on his way to England will see
6Lord Salisbury &c. We tried to let him into the ?inwardness of affairs
7here a little. I think it would be well if you could see as much of
8him as possible before he falls into the hands of the Garrett gang. He
9has a letter of introduction to you from the ^an^ Australian Premier. He
10leaves by tonight’s train for Cape Town where he will spend 12 days.
11Introduce him to Hoffmeyr &c & sh He’s rather a good sort, clear &
12sharp. Could be very useful at home.
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14 Good bye dear Laddie. Please write freely & in strictest confidence to
15me, telling what chance you feel there is of our avoiding war.
16
17 Olive
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19 To-day is my baby’s birth day, she would be 4 years old today if she
20had lived.
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22 PS. Mr Collin’s wife & daughter will be one day at the Cape. Fan
23might call on them & take them about a bit, if she fancied it. I fancy
24they are very ^nice^ folk.
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26 ^Collins will probably be at the club m Cron has written to Cartwright
27about him.^
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