EXCHANGE

as coming from Japanese sources. The Foreign Office has written
him a note which detailed proposals for the exchange, a copy of which
he gave us.

HOLE IN ONE
January 4, 1942

Made my first hole in one on our Embassy golf course. The
course is 422 yards long, nine holes, with small putting greens and
everything. One of the shots goes over or around one of the apart-
ment houses and those who elect the straight over-the-roof shot
run risks, but only one window has been broken so far. The fish in
the reflection pool are having a lovely time—if they like old golf balls.

There are always from ten to fourteen at our table for every meal
and our group is fortunately a congenial one. The clerks and other
members of the staff who do not mess with us regularly come up in
rotation for a meal, and thus we keep in touch. Alice goes frequently
to the chancery to visit the commissariat or the community room>
as well as to the individual apartments.

" WE KEEP BUSY "
January 9, 1942

About one-half of the Foreign Office was burned in a big fire
during the night* It appears that some of the records concerning
our eventual evacuation were destroyed, and although the Swiss
Minister will furnish extra copies of his own notes, I fear that this
may delay matters beyond the delay already encountered. We are,
however, fairly comfortable, except for the intense cold of the house
due to necessary economy in fuel (the heating is never turned on
until late afternoon). The days pass quickly. I work in the morning
from breakfast until 11.30 ; then golf for an hour or so in order to
get a little exercise and fresh air ; early to bed. Plenty of time for
good reading. I have just finished Cronin's The Keys of the Kingdom,
an admirable book.

EXCHANGE

January 16, 1942

The Swiss Minister brought the Japanese reply to our Govern-
ment's proposal relating to the exchange of persoi^nel at Lourenjo
Marques. The place of exchange has been accepted but there are
various discrepancies in the two1 proposals, discussed in a memorandum
prepared by Bohlen. I called a meeting of the entire staff and told
them of the progress made in the negotiations, once again expressing
my admiration of their maintenance of a high morale and of their
splendid community spirit which is beyond all praise.

January 18, 1942

At Alice's suggestion a number of us met in the music-room at
the chancery this Sunday morning and sang a number of, favourite