_My General_:
I have read your letter carefully, and I shall scrupulously follow
your instructions, but I believe it my duty to say this to you.
Numerous indications, and a serious fact of which I shall speak
to you on your return, show me that the time is near at hand when
people who have the conviction that there has been an error in this
matter are going to make a great effort and create a great scandal.
I believe that I have done all that was necessary to give ourselves
the opportunity of initiative. If too much time is lost, that
initiative will be taken by others, which, to say nothing of higher
considerations, will not leave us in a pleasant position. I must add
that the people to whom I refer do not seem to be as well informed
as we are,[3] and that in my opinion they will make a mess of it,
creating a scandal and a great uproar without furnishing light. There
will be a sad and useless crisis, which we could avoid by doing
justice in season. Be good enough, etc.,