My dear Miss Merriman:
Greatly delayed -- I did not reach London until Thursday morning. Met Miss Cumming at lunch and went immediately to the afternoon session of the Fight the Famine Council. There I met Lord and Lady [Parmoor], Sir George Paish, and a number of the foreign delegates. Lord [Parmoor] asked me to lunch on Wednesday and to speak at their only public meeting Wednesday night.
You can guess that I spent much of the time on Wednesday getting ready for my talk. However in the morning I (attended) the session of the F.F.C., dealing with the League of Nations. There [illegible] many Hobson, and several other English and foreign delegates. At the public meeting last night there were probably 2500 people present; Lord Parmoor presided. I was the last speaker. Besides myself, Lord Beauchamp, Margaret Bondfield, Contessa Lisa Scopoli and the Secretary of the International Trades Unions Conference spoke. Dr. Nansen was announced but was not in London. The F.F.C. have asked for my MS. as material for a pamphlet. I will send you a copy within a few days for you to use in any way you see fit -- and at least for your information.
Today I attended the final session of the Fight the Famine Council sessions -- at which organization plans were discussed for different countries. Lord Parmoor, Sir George Paish, Mr. Hobson, Mr. Buxton, Mrs. Buxton and several of the other delegates were particularly pleased at my suggestion that our Association would gladly act as correspondent for the F.F.C. in the States. This does not involve us in any way in matters of [page 2] policy, but ought work to the mutual advantage of all concerned.
Went today for lunch with Angell -- who is sailing on the SS Finland on the 21st. He ought to be in New York before November 1. I suggest that you get in touch with him upon his arrival. He will be at Mrs. Sorchan's. Perhaps you will have a committee meeting while he is in town. By the way he is very keen on Cecil's coming to U.S.
In reference to Cecil, I obliviously having been here less than three days have not yet been able to move. My strongest card Philip Baker happens to be out of town and is not to return until November 1. I shall probably approach Cecil directly.
I expect to see Keynes this weekend, as I have today cabled to you. I will cable you his answer.
Tomorrow I have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. [Hirst], editor of Common Sense -- and good friends of Burlingham's. This weekend I go either to Cambridge to Mr. Keynes or to a weekend party made up of the foreign delegates to the F.F.C. at Woodgate, Dover Hall, Sussex.
Tell Miss Addams that everyone here I have found the greatest (interest) in and a keen desire to cooperate in arranging our suggested economic conference.
Have written Mrs. Leach thanking her for the excellent suggestion in reference to this hotel. It is ideal for my purposes. From the manager to the porter [everyone] is very kind, and all because of the excellent memory the Leaches left behind. [page 3]
I will write you again during the weekend giving in some detail my future plans.
Cordially,
(Signed) JAMES G. MCDONALD
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