June 14, 1920
My dear Mrs. Blaine:
Since I was in Chicago a few months ago and discussed with you on the 'phone the Mexican situation there have been important developments there which on the whole are hopeful as against intervention. However, there has never been a time when the necessity for watchfulness by disinterested parties was as important as now. We are on very friendly relations with the new government, and are in a position to play an important role in the readjustment which is necessary if intervention is to be avoided.
Your cooperation with Miss Addams in the splendid effort to get supplies into Russia for women and children convinces us that you will be pleased to know that the publication by our Association a week or ten days ago of the volume of documents entitled RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS has been praised by reviews in the New Republic, the Nation and elsewhere, because it supplies just that which now is of momentous importance, the fact basis for a [countrywide] drive for the lifting of all trade restrictions. We are planning to organize this drive during the next week or ten days.
Unfortunately, our finances are at such a critical state that unless we are able to raise, either in pledges or in direct contributions, $4,500 during the next few weeks, we shall not be able to continue during the summer. We are therefore asking ten persons, all of whom have known of our work the past two years and have sympathized with it, either to contribute or underwrite this emergency budget to [the] extent of $500. Do you not feel that our work has been of sufficient importance and is now of such promise as to justify your helping in this emergency?
Miss Addams, I believe, will be glad to give you any additional information which you may wish to have with reference to the details of our work. Enclosed are some extracts from the first reviews of the Russian volume, a copy of which is being mailed you today.
Sincerely yours,
Chairman.
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