Kathleen D'Olier Courtney to Jane Addams, May 4, 1925

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Women’s International League
BRITISH SECTION OF THE WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM.
↑ans'd May 15 25↓
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
55 GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.C.1
4th May, 1925.

Dear Miss Addams,

Since I last wrote to you we have received from Vilma Glücklich the Agenda for the meeting of the International Executive Committee in July in which she had included “Appointment of Acting Secretary.” I wrote to ask her just what this meant, thinking she might be going away for a short time and wanted a substitute, and I have heard from her that she is intending to resign as she does not feel she has the full confidence of all the Sections of the League. I am, of course, very sorry that she should feel this, and think that her position has been one of great difficulty. I do not know whether the Committee will accept her resignation or whether any other arrangement will be come to. In case the resignation should be accepted I think you will like to know that we have seen a lady here who, we think, might be extremely suitable for the post. She applied for the Secretaryship of the British Section of the League for which we did not think her quite ↑so↓ suitable ↑as another candidate↓ [illegible], but it stuck all of us who interviewed her that she would probably be just the right person for Geneva if we were wanting to make another appointment, and she would, I believe, be very willing to go, though, of course, I do not know what salary she would require. She knows Geneva well ↑as↓ [and] she worked at the International [Labor] Office there, and has very good testimonials. Her sympathies are [labor]. She knows languages and writes well. She would also, I think, be good on the social side; is very keen on international affairs and anxious to help for peace, untrammeled, as she said, by the officialism of the I.L.O. and other Government Departments. Of course, if one were to go further into [page 2] the matter we might find some obstacle, such as salary, etc. Also the lady in question might not commend herself to the whole of the International Executive. She was not, for instance, a pacifist during the war, which I think would be against her in the eyes of some. I thought, however, that you would like to know that there is this possibility in the event of Vilma Glücklich’s resignation becoming a reality.

I am writing to Miss Balch and am sending her a copy of this letter as she is to be at the International Executive in July.

We had a letter from Vilma Glücklich suggesting ↑July↓ the 13th as the date which Miss Balch might be present and asking ↑for suggestions↓ where the Executive should be held. We have written urging that it should be held in Geneva, that being the Headquarters of the League and a place where we might have some opportunity of getting into touch with the Secretariat. I hope very much Geneva will be chosen. It seems rather absurd to have our Headquarters there and then to run away from it when there is an opportunity of getting representatives of the different Sections together. If the meeting is held in Geneva and if Miss Balch is going to be there I shall try and go as a Consultative Member.

With very kind regards,
Yours affectionately,
K. D. Courtney [signed]
Chairman of British Section.