war. The views of all were very depressing, although no one had
the slightest doubt as to the ultimate complete smashing up of
Germany, and the longer the war lasted the more complete would the
smashing be. One man was sure it would be ended by next spring,
another, who had lived long in Macedonia, is positive it will take two
years from now. General Hunter-Weston took no part in this discussion,
but looked interested and amused while his juniors threshed the
subject out. All agreed that it was most laughable to read the
forecasts in the papers at home, and that it was only now that England
was realising how enormous the task before her was, and that the war
will continue till both sides are just about played out, but there can
be no doubt of our ability to hold out longest.

The plans for the next big attack were also discussed. The General,
who commands the whole army on the peninsula--including the
French--arranges all details, under the Commander-in-chief, Sir Ian
Hamilton. The dates of former attacks were known to us all several
days before they took place, and these invariably reached the Turks.
To avoid this more secrecy is now observed, and it amused me last
night to hear the General emphasise his dates in a voice that denoted
that he did not mean them to be taken literally. This was to bamboozle
me, I thought, the only non-combatant present, but occasionally he
stumbled. As it was always with regret that I came to know the dates
of former attacks some days ahead I was glad to observe this attempt
at secrecy. I remember we were once to commence at 7 o'clock, and the
Turk let fly at us at 6.45, determined, sensible man, to get in the
first blow.

When talking about crushing Germany, all regretted that our country
was so soft, and would not crush sufficiently; however, they thought
they could rely on Russia and France insisting on this being carried
out very thoroughly.

After breakfast I walked down about 300 yards to Helles point,
wondering what had come of all our shipping. The hospital ships are
there, one small supply ship only, a few mine-sweepers, and close in
under the rocks a British and a French submarine, lying beside the
keel of the "Majestic". It appears a German submarine had been sighted
last night, hence as many of the ships as possible had fled. A French
ship is battering Kum Kale, and kicking up a tremendous dust. An
officer from H.Q. was regretting the inability of the Navy to help us.
At l