CEHBates_JanFeb1919_022d

over I would like to see you home. I see
that the Govt will release men who wish
to return to their colleges, and I suppose
"men" includes officers. Did I tell you
that I saw in the Army & Navy Register
about a month ago, that Colonel Bearsse and
Major Lewis were given the D.S.C. for their
part in the Marcheville fight, in which
you so distiguinshed yourself. Helen arrived
at Manila on the 5th inst according to a
cable she sent her people. Dicks birthday
is next Thursday, and Mother made him
a big cake. She was going to ice it, and
send candles etc, but had to rush to Los
Angeles, so I sent him the cake as it was.

The dear boy is still at Key West, and very
much disgusted with the place. Daniels
says that one half of all the Navy is
to be kept on both the Pacific and Atlantic
Coasts beginning next June, and that the
fleets are to be equal in every way. I hope
that our Dickiewick gets out here. Lesley has
gone to Berkeley this pm. to see some Educator
on business. He is quite unsettled in mind
and would like to go to China. Well Edward
dear I have spent my Sunday writing to Dick
and Mother and you. The Misses Robinson
called this pm, and the George Anderson girls
brought Les & me a lemon pie. Lots of love
& hugs for you my dear boy from your loving father
HLA Bates

[Written sideways in the left margin]
Monday Jan 13th Mother telephoned today. Jos doing well. Sitting up in bed.