8/10/1920.
Dear Miss Addams, --
If you could see the efforts that many of the workers here are making to lay the bases for a real internationalism, I am sure that you would be encouraged.
Since the present war-scare began there have been packed meetings at which the workers have pledged themselves not to respond to orders for mobilization. Of course, this represents only the radical minority. At the same time it is a fairly large minority & for the time being it has public opinion at least passively behind it.
Last night I attended a meeting at Lyons which was really quite remarkable, first because of what the speaker said & second because of the way the crowd responded. [page 2] The other day at Geneva the International Congress of Miners passed a resolution favoring a general strike in the case of war. The motion was passed amidst the greatest enthusiasm, and was wildly acclaimed.
Of course people are tired & weary of the struggle, but there is always the Young generation. I have run across a crowd of young people from Scandinavia who have formed a young people's International. Thus far the office is in Stockholm. It is organized for strictly international propaganda. Such efforts are necessarily feeble, but they point in the right direction.
I had some difficulty getting over here, & finally came with the whole family. It has been a great opportunity, however, & I have learned a great deal -- especially [page 3] about French diplomacy which is driving Europe toward war as fast as anything you can imagine. If the advice of Millerand prevails, a war with Russia seems to be inevitable.
My regards to everyone at Hull House -- if you are there.
Scott Nearing
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