Aug 17 1915
My dear Miss Addams
Will you pardon me for this intrusion? I was so fortunate as to hear you speak in the [Chautauqua] amphitheater last Saturday. You spoke of an appeal to the men in authority that negotiations for peace might be started. This statement has emboldened me to send you the enclosed reprint, for I can not help feeling that if a movement, as there described, were properly launched it might be a successful appeal. I believe that the great mass of the people, especially the laboring classes, wish peace above all things and that, if they could give [page 2] due expression to their wishes, their object might be attained.
It seems to me that this is a supreme opportunity for the people to come into their own, to gain certain things which they need and wish, peace and terms of permanent peace and possibly -- as they learn that they can secure desired ends -- greater freedom in many countries.
If I am not greatly mistaken it would be an easy matter to get up great mass meetings, a means both of instruction and of expression of the wishes of the people; and if the people are led, as suggested in the reprint, to write to their friends everywhere they become a more direct and insistent power.
Again I beg pardon for this intrusion to which I am led because I know of no other who could exert an equal influence.
With the expression of my sincere admiration and regard I am
Very truly yours
Philip Zenner
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