Holloway Exhibit - John to Priscilla, August 10, 1945 - Archives

150 dpi Image of This Item	329. 10 Aug. 1945 Dearest: It's a military secret but I'm writing this from the office. Don't tell the Japs. We have been electrified over here the past two days by the news of the atomic bomb raid on Japan and by Russia declaring war against our common enemy. When Truman said some time ago that the war might come to a swift conclusion I for one (and for the first time) did not pooh pooh the announcement. And I don't think many others did either. Having seen war at first hand I can easily appreciate the potentialities of the atomic bomb. It could be applied to rockets, naval shells, and even rifle ammunition. It's really horrifying to let one's imagination run rampant on the subject even for a few minutes. Radio Tokyo admits that 60% of everything
150 dpi Image of This Item	living in Hiroshima is now dead. And yesterday Nagasaki was hit. The Japanese say the destruction was greater than in the first raid. Yet they say they are going to continue to fight--even under ground if necessary. If they do, they, as a race, are doomed. I've been simply deluged with mail the last two days. And do I like it! I was glad to receive that list of records we have in our collection. It's certainly impressive to say the least. What a time I'll have just catching up on good music as well as other things when I come back. I was glad to read your comments on the second honeymoon. I don't say I will be irritable or that I will want to do seemingly unreasonable things. But I might, and then again, I might not. It's just a possibility. That's all. As far as being "caught"
150 dpi Image of This Item	2. is concerned, that is something we'll have to face. I'm not drawing any conclusions one way or the other. Time and time alone will decide. Right now it is difficult to see how we could escape it. And at this point one cannot say definitely that such a thing would put a crimp in our plans. We will just let God say "yes" or "no" and abide by His decision. It occurs to me that Bob and Dolores will really have some adjustment problems to cope with. She has built up a certain modicum of independence during his absence and he has developed an inferiority complex. When they are reunited there are bound to be clashes of temperament that will leave marks for a long time. Neither will give in to the other sympathetically although there will be physical compromises. Dolores will be the one to wilt first but she will always
150 dpi Image of This Item	feel that she has been ill used. Bob is too much of a Mick to admit any mistakes or try to smooth things over in the interest of long range welfare. I didn't imagine he was as afraid of the future as you say he is. Let him gripe. He can't change the course of things one iota. I don't say this boastingly but you can be darn glad you are my wife rather than his. Solong [sic] Sweet, John