Transcript of Letter from Katherine Fite to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Fite

25 TRUMAN Sunday, Dec.9 S. "NATIONAL Dearest Moter and Daddy e s. ADMIN." AND Perhaps i'd better start by wishing you a Merry GO Christmas- since your last letter took 16 days - Nov. 18 to Dec.4. As a matter of fact, it had been preceded by a day or so by one of Nov. 21. I hope that by now you have last Sunday's (or Monday 's) letter which I sent by hand by an officer who was supposed to fly from Paris to the U. S. He was offering wholesale to telephone people's families, but I didn't see much point in your being told by a perfect stranger that - yes, I/was in good health - no - I didn't knww when I'd be home - yes- the trial is inter- esting. Actually, the court room presentation is dull and tedious- owing to having to speak so slowly for the translators and having to read everything you want in evidence over the microphone, as per a ruling of the court. There is just a chance that I might start homeward week after next. It depends on mayy things - primarily on whether we are up before the recess. The Court is taking a two week holiday- Dec.20-Jan.4, the presiding Just- ice being British. A large part of the staff is leaving soon. They would of course like me to stay to release some man, but under the terms of State's telegram authorizing me to stay for the duration, unless I can be dispensed with earller, I don't feel justified in offering to stay, nor do I want to - with most of my friends and the best lawyers leaving. The whole thing has been badly managed If we wre through before the recess- I would probably go to Paris- stay there for a few days - and then take a boat home. When I know anything definite I will cable you. In any case, even if I have to be here after the recess, I shall probably go to Paris for the holidays. Aline Chalufour asked me to stay with her mother (and her) but I don't really want to - they have no heat- I would be a bunden from the point of view of food and I think I can get into an Army hotel. One goes to Paris by train - via Frankfort or Baden-Baden Actually, I think the most interesting part of the trial will be when the defense gets started- but Heaven knows when that will be. I heard first that the Justice anticipated it would be over by March 1- then by April 1. I would say May 1 And I don't see State being pleased by my staying till then. The defense may try to wear us out. I am a bit worried by their not keeping a good staff all through, but I can t help that. And I think the State Dep't should have a political observer here. But I can't help that. The Justice seems to be his own Sec'y. of State. It is bitter cold here today. Yesterday it was about 16 Fahrenheit. I have been in my room all day and it's chilly - very little heat in the radiator & the corridors are the same as outdoors on account of gaping kake places. The windows are loose &c the door is loose. (Yes, I have a key. ) I bought one set of army winter underwear- tights & a long sleeved sweater affair - a hideous khaki color. I am going out to dinner tonight at the Press Camp- with some Frenchies- hostess being a Frene newspaper woman who interviewed me & another American woman lawyer, x a British & French (Aline c.). I understand we are to appear in four columns in a French woman's paper. She wanted my passport phito. I refused & just haventt time to have my picture taken. Would be tempted if I did- because the Germans are good at that sort of thing. You ask about my German- welf- my capacity to read & understand im- proves- but *n not to talk. If you relax & pretend it's English- it's not so hard to understand.