Grace Allen Fitch Johnson to Helen Martha Woods Elliott, June 8, 1925

My dear Mrs. Elliott:

[Today] a [subcommittee] of the Armistice Day Parade committee met with the heads of three of the organizations of the veterans of the World War to see if they would like to join in the Peace parade.

Many things were discussed, naturally, and among others, the attitude of various organizations toward disarmament. I was a member of this small committee, not representing any particular organization. I did not venture to try to say what was the attitude of the W.I.L. because the interpretation of terms which seem definite and clear is sometimes misleading.

Mr. Paine asked me to write to you for your interpretation of the attitude of the W.I.L., if you are willing to send it to us. It would be a help in answering questions which are put to us by others who are considering marching in the parade.

We wish to have all those who are working for peace combine in this demonstration. It will doubtless mean that those with a leaning toward preparedness will yield a little, and those with a leaning toward immediate disarmament will also have to yield a little in order that we may get together in this good cause. This is our hope. It remains to be seen whether we can accomplish it. [page 2]

I assume that the W.I.L. statement does not mean immediate and complete disarmament, but universal reduction of armaments to the point where we have an adequate force for policing the world. It seems to me that abolition of all armies and navies can not be ↑[illegible]↓ advocated wholesale at present. I am sure I should turn to them without hesitation in case certain emergencies should arise, and I think it probable that we should all do so.

Article 1 has puzzled me a good deal, for it does not express what I think concerning disarmament, and it may be that since I do not believe in "complete and universal disarmament," that I should not seem to subscribe to it by being a member of the organization.

It will be a great service if you will write me your understanding of it. It may not be used for anything but to clear our own minds, but, on the other hand, we should be glad to have permission to use it for the information of such others as may be interested to know what you, as president, say about it.

I hope you did not suffer too much in the terrible heat of the last few days. We almost expired. The east wind on Sunday brought us back to life.

Cordially yours,

Grace A. Johnson. [signed]

June 8, 1925.

↑P.S. The ↑general↓ committee meets again on Friday.↓