YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF COLOMBO
22nd March, 1923.
My dear Miss [Addams],
I was both surprised and delighted to hear on Monday that you are paying a visit to Ceylon. My wife and I have just returned from furlough in America. We are looking forward to the pleasure of a visit with you when you come down to Colombo.
This morning I called upon Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam who is one of the leading citizens of Colombo and keenly interested in all forms of social service work and suggested that we have a public meeting under the auspices of the Social Service League ↑at↓ and which you would tell us about Social Service Work in America, at Hull House in particular. He is very keen on having such a meeting and has consented to preside. I have just been talking to the Honorary Secretary of the Ceylon Social Service League and they are anxious to have you speak under their auspices.
My suggestion would be this, that you speak for 30 or 40 minutes on Monday evening at 5:30 on this subject "Social Settlements in America" ↑or "Hull House -- an experiment in Social Service,"↓ that following this address you meet with the members of the Social Service League Committee and others specially interested for a Conference of about 45 minutes. The ladies of the Social Service League would like to have an opportunity of discussing their problems with you some time the following day, preferably in the morning. I hope this is not too much for you. The meeting will be held, if you consent to speak, at the headquarters of the Social Service League. They have a nice hall which will seat 200 ↑or more↓ which is about the size of an audience we want. If Monday evening is not [page 2] suitable to you, Tuesday evening will do just as well provided it would be possible for you to meet the ladies the following morning. I have not been able to find out [illegible] when you are leaving Colombo.
I understand Miss McBride of the Y.W.C.A. has asked you to have tea there on one of the afternoons you are here. I am sure she would be glad to have that on Tuesday if the lecture is on Monday or the other way round as suits your convenience.
I am sending you two pamphlets regarding the work of the Ceylon Social Service League. It has been [organized] for some 8 years as you will see and they have done a lot of good work. Sir Ponnambalam tells me that recently interest has fallen off to some extent, so they need to be stirred up once more. I tried to avoid a lecture but the friends here thought that it would be very difficult to get the right persons out for a group discussion or conference without having the lecture first. You need not let the lecture part worry you in the least. It will be very informal and the audience will consist of those who are really interested. I do hope you will be able to undertake these meetings which I have suggested.
Kindly wire me your answer so that we can get out invitations tomorrow.
I have asked whether there is a Branch of the Women's League of Peace in Colombo but find there is none. A great many of the European ladies are away at the hill stations now as this is the hot season. However, if you want me to, I shall try to arrange for a meeting where you could speak regarding world peace and the Women's League organized for its promotion. I am afraid we should not find very many ladies here but we might be able to get a few interested.
Very sincerely yours,
G. P. Wishard [signed]
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