August 8, 1917.
Dear Miss Addams:
It is not finally settled, but the chances are strongly for my going to England and France by the end of next week. Tonight I am going to Washington to see the Red Cross people in regard to getting in touch with relief and reconstruction work in France.
Mr. [Angell] who is here says that it is not possible to carry any letters, although letters of introduction might be an exception. I think the same purpose might be gained if you would give [me] the names and addresses of people whom I should see, with a line or so about who they are and what they stand for -- and what I could probably gain from talking with them. This descriptive matter could be eliminated and I could take with me just the names and addresses.
[We] published an article by Norman Thomas last week on the Conscientious Objectors, their make-up as a group, the things they stand for, and the things they will do. It is one of a series of articles on the social impacts of mobilization which I talked over with you and Mr. Devine at Long Beach; and with Mr. Devine and Prof. Taylor at Pittsburgh. In view of the espionage act I put it in the hands of Mr. Smyth who [revises?] articles for us from the libel standpoint, asking him if it was illegal at any point. He said no, but that he was violently opposed to publishing it. He is a member of our board, and this is the first case of applying the principles of scope, etc., which was up [page 2] last spring. I took the matter up with Mr. DeForest, and while he would not have gotten the article for the Survey -- thinking it more appropriate for the Atlantic Monthly, and incidentally worth printing in the Atlantic Monthly -- he was not at all disposed to consider it an issue, and left me to deal with Mr. Smyth individually. I am not a conscientious objector, but am in entire agreement with Mr. Thomas that our government policy towards them should be at least as liberal as that of England after three years of war. Moreover, the we should give a hearing, however I [fall] to a competent spokesman of them like Mr. Thomas. So I [am] quite prepared to stand or fall on the inclusion of this article. It is really a remarkable one.
I hope that your family matters are not such as will add to your burdens at this time.
Sincerely,
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