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December 6, 1927.
Dear Sir: --
The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, which, by the resolutions passed at its international congresses, stands pledged to work for universal total disarmament by international agreement, wishes to express to you, as chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference, its welcome of the proposal of the U.S.S.R. Delegation that an immediate beginning be made with the process of total disarmament, to be carried out, if necessary, by stages and to be completed within four years. The peoples of the world have been eagerly waiting for relief from the burden of armaments. This relief was promised them at Versailles in 1919 but so far no practical steps have been taken and little or no progress made towards it. On the contrary, armies, navies, air forces and all methods of destroying human life are increasing. Leading statesman like Lord Cecil and military leaders like Field Marshal Sir W. Robertson warn us that unless disarmament is sincerely undertaken by the nations, war will again become inevitable and will destroy [civilization]. We believe that armaments do not bring security but quite the reverse and that it is useless to wait until "security" is guaranteed.
We believe that the sincere and general adoption of the Russian proposal would free the world from its present state of fear of insecurity and also from the crushing burden of taxation.
A sincere effort to carry out the Russian proposal would inspire renewed confidence in the League of Nations and add to its prestige. If on the other hand, the League of Nations should reject the proposal and if the delay in [page 2] the adoption of practical steps towards disarmament should be still further prolonged, it is to be feared that the confidence of the peoples of the world in the League will be severely shaken. We urge, therefore, that the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference take the proposal for immediate universal total disarmament into earnest consideration and make every effort to give it practical effect.
Yours faithfully,
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