My dear Miss Addams
I have had long talks with Mrs. Vallard and Frau [Hertzka]; I have worked with Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Cothren and others, and I am now ready to write you my first reaction, realizing that it is the first and begging for your advice before the Thursday meeting. Will you be here? if not please write me (or wire at my expense) what line of action I shall take.
I cannot find that there exists much of an organization of the W.I.L. United States section, although there are members. Of all officers required in the constitution I seem to be the only one, excepting Mrs. Lewis who is in Europe. I was put in without a referendum vote although at the Jan. 7th. Meeting that was decided necessary. Mrs. Cothren put herself in for six months at a salary of $50.00 a week. She should have been engaged by the National Executive Board and only one of that board was present to vote for her (Mrs. Spencer).
Mrs. Cothren is not honest in her work and she will hurt your League. She does not give good measure of work, she is not courteous in her manner to those she feels are inferiors (such as a typist). She is not on hand to help Foreign visitors, such as Frau [Hertzka]. She believes in compromise, just as she is proud at present to be speaking for the Democrats every night and at the same time betting for the Republicans. To increase the membership and make a good appearance is her idea of her job. We might be able to check up her financial accounts but I don't see the possibility of changing the morality of her mind; I cannot rely upon her word or depend upon her to carry out my directions.
This is all of very small and unimportant moment compared with the larger question of the life of the W.I.L. United States section. I think that Mrs. Villard takes a stronger stand than ours, more real and gripping and more in harmony with the foreign women's policy and possibly with the resolutions passed at Zurich. They are absolutely nonresistant and not afraid, and I am not sure but I believe the day for anything less gentle has passed, because it no longer frightens people nor interests them. We are lost in a general crowd of war tired people who are sure they want peace now. The Womens Peace Society have more [page 2] than a thousand members. (150 Mexican women have joined) One feels the strength of their uncompromising message and I have failed so far to feel like a strength in our group. I have been even been urged not to touch on controversial subjects and I almost feel that the negative is preferred to the positive because "we have to get members". According to Frau [Hertzka] we weaken the International and do not support you.
Mrs. Mead and Miss Nichols have done work but the latter complains that Mrs. Cothren hinders rather that helps her beside these, no active work seems in progress. No one expecting yourself is willing to have the feeding (so much needed) a part of the Leagues activities. I, to sum up things, think there should be one and only one group of peace women and that group should be connected with the International and back you as the International president. Those who are not absolute non-resistants should not belong to the W.I.L. Then for the rest of us there can be committees which [cooperate] with, but are not an executive part of the International League. One on the League of Nations, one on feeding the children of Europe etc. etc. Gradually as these women work they will see the stronger stand and then ask for entrance into the League. Miss Addams, I will not desert you; I will stay and work for reorganization if you wish it, or I will say my say and get out, but I am not able to make a dead thing live and I cannot find the life. We are not allowed to take up work that would help starving children and yet we do not influence the world, as Mrs. Villard does, by a stand that is so strong as to be noticed, even though it is criticized and laughed at.
If our U.S. section was going at it the right way we would have no trouble in getting offices and workers. Thousands are hungry for some means of expression, but everyone is tired of just joining things and stopping there.
I would like to see the whole thing stop and then come together on such an uncompromising, active platform that although many now in could not agree to it; those who could would be the real thing and a strength to the International. Wire me that I have not said too much and give me advice.
Affectionately
Mabel Hyde Kittredge [signed]
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