WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
To the European Sections of the W.I.L.P.F.
November 1924
Deart friends,
My letter of September 2nd -- which was sent to 17 European Sections -- was answered by only seven sections and a half: those of Denmark, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Sweden, and the German group in [Czechoslovakia].
The Danish Section is willing to give at the rate of 2000 Swiss francs to cover the period between now and the next Congress in 1926.
The British Section writes: "Could you give me an idea later on as to how the other European Sections have responded, so that we can see how much Great Britain will need to raise? Meanwhile we will do what we can in getting new International Associates."
The German Section will try to collect between now and the next Congress Mk. 3000. -- (4000 Swiss frs.) from the fee of Associates and from gifts. That will be very hard for us to accomplish, but it must be done.
The Hungarian Section says that it cannot promise anything definite in view of its precarious financial conditions, but will do all it can to raise money for the international work.
The Irish Section sends five guineas: two as affiliation fee and three as special gift.
The Swedish Section says that they are in so bad economic conditions that they can scarcely see any way out, but they will do what they can to join in the international work economically. [page 2]
The German group in [Czechoslovakia] will try to do its best, but can fix no definite sum.
So far we can count on only this part of the 40,000 Swiss francs of our budget. This is not only a very inadequate response from the financial point of view, but I think it is more than sad that the majority of our sections have shown so little interest that they did not even take the trouble to answer my letter.
However, the French Section has paid to Headquarters 50 Swiss francs and the Swiss Section 25 Swiss francs in September, after my letter had gone out.
What is now to be done?
We may be sure that we will never raise the whole sum, but let us try to get half of it. My proposal is this. We are seventeen sections in Europe. I know that Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Ukraine are not able to pay anything. Therefore the sections
Swiss Francs 20000.--
Will you kindly let me know as soon as possible whether you are willing to [cooperate] in this way. We have a good, long time to collect the money and where there is a will, there is also a way.
I refer to my [advice] about Associate Members. All of us appreciate so intensely, what the W.I.L.P.F. means for us, what beautiful experiences it has brought into our lives, -- only think of our splendid Congresses, of our hospitable headquarters at Geneva, -- are we then always to accept these benefits without any recompense, leaving it to the U.S.A. alone to maintain our League's existence? Let us not forget that until now almost all the money has been collected by Jane Addams and some other American friends, and that it is our duty to help them as much as we can.
Hoping to get your answer soon, I am with cordial greetings
yours very sincerely
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