12th July, 1920.
My dear Miss Addams,
I am so glad to hear you are speaking in America on famine conditions here. Many of us feel that only America can save Europe from disaster, and all our friends who have been in America tell us that they are not in the least aware of the terrible conditions. I am very glad, however, to see that the American Dairy Cattle Farmers are proposing to send over 100,000 [milk] cows. I am informed, however, that there is neither transport for them nor fodder when they arrive, and as soon as we get full details of this, I hope that my Council will take up the matter and do all it can to urge the provision of transport. I am in communication with Miss Ray Beveridge, an American worker in Berlin, who puts forward excellent plans for the provision of fertilizers and fodder to restore agriculture in Germany and enable peasants to take the town children and feed them.
What I am writing to you now, however, is to know whether there is any possible chance of your coming over here in the autumn. My Council is again holding an International Economic Conference with a Public Meeting on October 11th, 12th, and 13th, and it would be a most enormous help if you were to be present and to speak at the Public Meeting. It seems to me just possible that you may consider for various reasons coming over to Europe again, if your health and engagements permit, and that in that case you might fit this into your [program]. No one would be able to touch the heart of our public so much as you would. At the same time, of course, I would not for one instant wish to rival the claims of America, as I believe that your influence in America is more valuable [page 2] than anywhere else.
If you should not find it possible to be in Europe during this autumn, I should be so grateful if you would let me know of other Americans who we might invite to attend our Conference, either as speakers or as visitors.
The economic situation in Europe is getting rapidly worse, but I am glad to say that public opinion in this country is improving, although much too slowly. Our economic and financial experts consider that there will be a terrible crisis in the autumn, and that our Conference will be extremely useful in enabling those interested to discuss the situation. They are of opinion that by that time ruin will be staring so many people in the face that those who are at present indifferent will be roused to action, and we are of course most wishful to enlist American support and sympathy at such a critical juncture. I send you a few notices of our Conference, and perhaps you would be so very kind as to hand them to anyone whom you think suitable.
I do hope, dear Miss Addams, that you are stronger in health and that your work is progressing. I suppose that America is in such a ferment about its presidential elections that no one will listen to anything before they are settled. We have had a good deal of talk about sending Miss Royden or someone of that sort to America in the autumn to try and [arouse] sympathy for starving Europe, but we are told that America does not want to listen to English people on this subject, and that they would do more harm than good. If you think that any useful purpose would be served, we would be very glad to make another effort, but Sir George Paish and Mr. J. A. Hobson were not very encouraging in their reports.
With very kindest regards and good wishes,
M. Sheepshanks. [signed]
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