<strong>Winston</strong> S. <strong>Churchill</strong> to Clementine <strong>Churchill</strong> (Spencer-<strong>Churchill</strong> Papers; reprinted by kind permission) 30 December 1935 Hotel Mamounia My darling Clemmie, At last <strong>the</strong> sun! I thought we should never overtake it. I think we travelled from Engl<strong>and</strong> with a blizzard. You saw what happened when we l<strong>and</strong>ed at Majorca. It was just <strong>the</strong> same at Tangier, so we came on here. And no sooner had I opened my tin boxes than a perfect deluge—<strong>the</strong> first for three months— descended around <strong>the</strong> hotel. However it was only a shower <strong>and</strong> we have had two perfect days. All say that <strong>the</strong> prospects are bright. This is a wonderful place, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> hotel one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best I have ever used. I have an excellent bedroom <strong>and</strong> bathroom, with a large balcony twelve feet deep, looking out on a truly remarkable panorama over <strong>the</strong> tops <strong>of</strong> orange trees <strong>and</strong> olives, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> houses <strong>and</strong> ramparts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> native Marrakech, <strong>and</strong> like a great wall to <strong>the</strong> westward <strong>the</strong> snowclad range <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Atlas mountains—some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m are nearly fourteen thous<strong>and</strong> feet high. The light at dawn <strong>and</strong> sunset upon <strong>the</strong> snows, even at sixty miles distance, is as good as any snowscape I have ever seen. It is five hours to <strong>the</strong> ridge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Atlas <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y say you <strong>the</strong>n look down over an immense area, first a great tropical valley, <strong>the</strong>n ano<strong>the</strong>r range <strong>of</strong> mountains, <strong>and</strong> beyond all <strong>the</strong> Sahara desert. Ro<strong>the</strong>rmere came on here with his party <strong>and</strong> we were warmly welcomed by L-G, who has been here for three weeks in perfect wea<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>and</strong> proposes to stay till February. Mrs L-G <strong>and</strong> Megan arrive on <strong>the</strong> 8th. He is busy writing his book <strong>and</strong> is very splendid <strong>and</strong> patriarchical. What a fool Baldwin is, with his terrible situation on his h<strong>and</strong>s, not to ga<strong>the</strong>r his resources & experience to <strong>the</strong> public service. I am painting from <strong>the</strong> balcony, because although <strong>the</strong> native city is full <strong>of</strong> attractive spots, <strong>the</strong> crowds, <strong>the</strong> smells <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> general discomfort for painting have repelled me. You would be staggered by what <strong>the</strong> French have done out here...it is very pleasant to see what a vigorous civilised race can do in creating order <strong>and</strong> progress in <strong>the</strong>se ancient deserts. How I wish you were here. The air is cool <strong>and</strong> fresh for we are 1500 feet high, yet <strong>the</strong> sun is warm <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> light brilliant. It is much <strong>the</strong> best place I have struck so far. But <strong>the</strong> whole country is full <strong>of</strong> interest. The soil is black or red <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> great fertility, plenty <strong>of</strong> water, fine harbours, everywhere excellent hotels. We must see how things go on, how far you are amused with your winter sports; how <strong>the</strong> political situation in Engl<strong>and</strong> leaves me. But do not altoge<strong>the</strong>r exclude <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> taking <strong>the</strong> boat at Marseilles. There are ten thous<strong>and</strong> ton steamers every week which in forty hours will take you to Casablanca, from which three <strong>and</strong> a half hours in a motor car brings you here. A etudier! We get excellent French newspapers <strong>and</strong> so are able to follow <strong>the</strong> French side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> political drama. There is no doubt we are in it up to our necks. Owing to this vigorous manifestation from <strong>the</strong> depths <strong>of</strong> British public opinion, <strong>the</strong> French have come a long way with us against Mussolini <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y will expect a similar service when <strong>the</strong> far greater peril <strong>of</strong> Hitler becomes active. We are getting into <strong>the</strong> most terrible position involved definitely by honour & by contract in almost any quarrel that can break out in Europe, our defences neglected, our Government less capable a machine for conducting affairs than I have ever seen. The Baldwin- MacDonald regime has hit this country very hard indeed, <strong>and</strong> may well be <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> its glories. Now <strong>the</strong> one thing that matters seems to be to try <strong>and</strong> find seats for those two ragamuffin MacDonalds! Luckily I have plenty <strong>of</strong> things to do to keep me from chewing <strong>the</strong> cud too much. New Year's Eve. My beloved I have just heard yr voice on <strong>the</strong> long distance. It was a vy Miaou cat & I cd not hear much, but it was sweet to get in touch across all those distances. All my wishes for yr happiness in <strong>the</strong> coming year. Ro<strong>the</strong>rmere <strong>of</strong>fered me 2 bets. First £2,000 if I went teetotal in 1936.1 refused as I think life wd not be worth living, but 2,000 free <strong>of</strong> tax is nearly 3,500 & <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> saving <strong>of</strong> liquor 500 = 4,000. It was a fine <strong>of</strong>fer. I have however accepted his second bet <strong>of</strong> £600 not to drink any br<strong>and</strong>y or undiluted spirits 1936. So tonight is my last sip <strong>of</strong> br<strong>and</strong>y. It was kind <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old boy to take so much interest in R<strong>and</strong>olph's health & my own. I think you will be pleased. My beloved pussy cat, I will write you again vy soon. I have been idle today. No Marl, only a little daub & a little bezique. R<strong>and</strong>olph is <strong>of</strong> course wanting to fight Malcolm M. but I hope he won't be able to—because it would put a spoke in my wheel & do nothing good for him. I do not think he would really when it came to <strong>the</strong> point. Tender love my darling one From your ever loving husb<strong>and</strong> W Footnotes by Sir Martin Gilbert <strong>Winston</strong> S. <strong>Churchill</strong>, Companion Volume V, Part 2 Megan Lloyd George, 1902-66. Younger daughter <strong>of</strong> David Lloyd George. Liberal MP, Anglesey, 1929-43 <strong>and</strong> 1945-51. Pres., Women's Liberal Federation, 1936 <strong>and</strong> 1945. Companion <strong>of</strong> Honour, 1966. In <strong>the</strong> 1935 election Malcolm MacDonald, <strong>the</strong> sitting National Labour MP, had been defeated by F. J. Bellenger, <strong>the</strong> Labour c<strong>and</strong>idate. Ramsay MacDonald was also defeated by a Labour c<strong>and</strong>idate, Emmanuel Shinwell. Ramsay MacDonald eventually found a safe seat at <strong>the</strong> Combined Scottish Universities, to which he was elected on 31 January 1936. Malcolm MacDonald was elected for Ross <strong>and</strong> Cromarty on 10 February 1936. ^ Malcolm John MacDonald, b. 1901. Son <strong>of</strong> Ramsay MacDonald. Educated at Bedales <strong>and</strong> Queen's College, Oxford. Labour MP for Bassetlaw 1929-31 (National Labour 1931-35); for Ross <strong>and</strong> Cromarty, 1936-45. Parliamentary Undersecretary, Dominions Office, 1931-35. Privy Councilor, 1935. Secretary <strong>of</strong> State for Dominion Affairs, 1935-38 <strong>and</strong> 1938-39; Colonial Secretary, 1935 <strong>and</strong> 1939-40. Minister <strong>of</strong> Health, 1940-41. High Commissioner, Canada, 1941-46. Governor-General <strong>of</strong> Malaya, Singapore <strong>and</strong> British Borneo,1948. Commissioner General for South-East Asia, 1948-55. High Commissioner, India, 1955-60. Governor-General <strong>of</strong> Kenya, 1963-64; High Commissioner, 1964-65. British Special Representative in East <strong>and</strong> Central Africa, 1965; Africa, 1966-69. & FINEST HOUR IOS / 24
[5] M Ii§iIiii 1711 1 i I i 1 Ifill 1 s The <strong>Churchill</strong> Suite Clockwise from upper left: Ms. Fetwa <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hotel staff in <strong>the</strong> lounge; a painting <strong>of</strong> WSC; his umbrella <strong>and</strong> hat; an unfinished l<strong>and</strong>scape; a model <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Roberts- Jones Parliament Square statue; <strong>the</strong> inevitable bulldog; <strong>the</strong> balcony <strong>and</strong> its view; <strong>the</strong> bath; a collection <strong>of</strong> photos portraying <strong>Churchill</strong>'s career; Lynn Druckman in La Mamounia's drive. 0 ft i i m i I a i i iiiIii i [5] FINEST HOUR 108/25
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