January 25, 1923.
Dear Miss Addams and Mr. Wacker:
I have been thinking upon the need of the people for whose relief I have placed a modest contribution in the hands of the American Ambassador in Berlin. When I last saw him, it was estimated that American bread stuffs to the value of over a hundred million dollars would be needed in Germany between January 1st and August 1st of this year. The French military authorities, the German Civil authorities, the American and British Embassies, were agreed at that time that economic conditions in Germany were such that certain elements in the population, pressed by hunger, would probably give way to rioting before the winter was over. It is of these men, women and children -- above all children -- of whom my wife and I have been thinking.
If the measures for the relief of the hungry poor in Germany are to be effective, they must be promptly taken. The fund which you proposed to raise, therefore, must be promptly raised. There must be secured, I think, an initial considerable sum which will serve as a nest egg. Therefore, with your permission, I am sending a thousand dollars which I venture to offer as one of twenty-five subscriptions, each for a thousand dollars, to be paid into the hands of your Treasurer within ten days.
With all best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
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