COPY
Halle, October 15, 1919
My dear Colleague:
[line cut off] which has [made a] bad feeling in all countries. I can, however, now guarantee that such a [thing] will not happen again. I have formed a strong organization in order [to avoid] every partiality in the selection of the children, especially in [that] Swiss physicians are concerned in the whole matter. They will have the [duty to select at the Swiss border the children whose condition does not [make] it necessary that they be cared for in Switzerland and send them back. [Perhaps] it may be possible to issue an appeal for help in the American [Press]. I myself can not do that personally from here because I well know [that] even the best intentioned steps can have the most unpleasant results. [On this] ground I feel that those of us here must remain in the background. [Unfortunately], this [principle] has not always been practiced in Berlin as [you] probably know.
With my best respects,
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) E. Abderhalden
Perhaps if it were known that the entire relief work lies in my hands there would be more confidence that only the most needy children would be selected. I would propose that in Switzerland a Swiss-American or a purely American committee be formed to which the funds should be transmitted. I would then send children to Switzerland on their advice. I believe it will be better if all official German organizations be eliminated and the funds come in the hands of a Swiss or an American or a mixed committee which must necessarily be located in Switzerland. This Committee can then report in an impartial manner its observations to America. I have in America many good friends. In 1915 I was made an honorary member of the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia and of the American Association of Immunologists. As the need here is so frightful I shall be very grateful for early help. I should like to use the Winter months to send tuberculous children to Davos. [page 2]
I might add that unfortunately in the past the funds available for this work often times have not been used for the right children which has made bad feeling in all countries. I can, however, now guarantee that such a thing will not happen again. I have formed a strong organization in order to avoid every partiality in the selection of the children, especially in that Swiss physicians are concerned in the whole matter. They will have the duty to select at the Swiss border the children whose condition does not make it necessary that they be cared for in Switzerland and send them back. Perhaps it may be possible to issue an appeal for help in the American press. I myself can not do that personally from here because I well know that even the best intentioned steps can have the most unpleasant results. On this ground I feel that those of us here must remain in the background. Unfortunately, this principle has not always been practiced in Berlin as you probably know.
With my best respects,
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) E. Abderhalden
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