Meynell explains his statement that was so offensive to Davies ("... the war of solicitors ..."): "My phrase was meant in the sense of 'war of attrition' or 'war of big battalions'—in which neither 'attrition' nor 'big battalions' makes the war but are the means and method of its conduct."

Meynell apologizes to Davies if he misread his intention with the statement. Someone has written "Poor worm" on the letter.