Dear Miss Addams,
I enclose a check for $20 for the Dublin Congress and am sorry I can not be there.
I think your proposal about letting members choose either the Vienna statement or the Washington one is admirable. We don't want to coerce the Germans, but neither must they insist on coercing others. Where such people as Sarah Wambaugh, Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Catt and many other strong peace women are unwilling to stand with us [page 2] because of this quite unnecessary obstacle. They ought to see that it hinders the cause.
I was very sorry that after you left Washington, at the very end after others had gone, your ardent young members pushed through the apparent endorsement of the New York Peace Union of the constitutional amendment. This committed our 6,000 members to a position which they have hitherto opposed of rejoining in a fourth step being taken associated before a first step had been taken. The resolution will greatly tickle [page 3] the followers of Mrs. Villard and they will advertise our conversion. All this Mr. Libby and I know is a hinderance to our work.
I am sorry Mrs. Hull can not continue as chairman and fear no one so experienced and willful will succeed her.
I think on the whole, both conventions -- the [In.] organization's and ours -- went off well, but I was very sorry to seem committed with 6000 others to a position which I am compelled all the time to say I don't hold.
Mrs. Hull whispered to me the possibility of our being [page 4] incorporated and having a libel suit against that man Cashman who lied about us in the Times. I think if no demand was made for money damages a jury would put it through and clear us and the publicity would be good. Of course he should pay our costs. If there were a fair jury the publicity ought to help us. Of course he ought to be sued for $10,000 damages, but I fear no jury would give it!
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