WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
27-X-1925.
My dear Miss Addams,
I believe Miss Glücklich has written you about the various topics suggested for our Congress in Ireland.
The replies that have come in thus far show a great diversity of opinion. There are hardly any two sections which wish the same topic and this moves me to write you of a suggestion made by the U.S. National Board and endorsed by Miss Addams.
What the U.S. Section had in mind was a discussion by each National Section of their most critical National problem and then a statement of what they felt should be "The Next Steps Towards Peace." The U.S. Section because of their recent experience in their own work came to feel "The Next Steps Towards Peace" might be a good topic.
The American Section has recently been clearing their thoughts and trying to get down to a common basis. As a result the U.S. now has a quite simple program:
1. A bill in Congress aiming to abolish economic imperialism. In Haiti, Mexico, South America etc.
2. State bills introduced into State legislature to abolish compulsory military training in the State Universities and High Schools.
3. The positive step, the fight for the World Court with the first provision of the Court the Outlawry of War.
If each Section would in the same manner present one or two of their most critical national situations and the immediate "Next Step To Peace" we should get a general survey of the European Situation and out of the various suggestions as to the next thing to do to create permanent peace we might get two or three things on which we could all agree and which we could make our concrete international program. [page 2]
I should be very glad if you could let me know at once how you feel about this and whether, if the plan were adopted it might not make it possible for each section to present the matter nearest their heart and yet result in a concrete program.
I hope if you have any material which you would like to have printed in the next News Sheet that you will send it to me at once. We are hoping to enlarge the News Sheet somewhat and print it in three languages, French, German and English and bring it out regularly every month.
I find it a great pleasure to be working in the International Office and I am very anxious to keep closely in touch which each of the Sections and carry out their wishes as far as possible. I hope you will not hesitate to [criticize] or make any suggestions you care to.
I wish that at least once during the year the official representative of each Section could come and stay for a week at the Maison Internationale so that we might get to know each other and clear up many of our problems.
With all good wishes to you and hoping for a very prompt reply
faithfully yours
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