Marguerite Gobat to Jane Addams, December 12, 1924

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Gland, the Fellowship School
December 12th 24

My dear Miss Addams,

I received your letter this evening and I will not wait to answer it and thank you for this sending. I see that the budget is arranged for two years and I have to congratulate you and Miss Balch for that piece of work.

That Vilma Glücklich feels discouraged is not all due ↑to↓ the lack of money, though this may contribute to it. But I think she feels a little lonely in Geneva, and is wanting some stimulating element. You know that our Geneva group of the W.I.L. is rather sleepy. We have not been able to find a president of the group. When I was in Geneva, I used to act as chairman, but they want a Genevese lady, and [till] now have not found the right person. Another reason of Vilma's discouragement is, -- I think -- the attitude of the English section. This section asked, some weeks ago, that no printing would be issued directly from the Geneva office, and that a commission should be formed for that, or at least that the Executive Committee should first give its opinion on the [planned] paper. I do not think that this is a wise plan, for the publications would, in the meantime lose their actuality. And it looks also like a measure of mistrust (I don't think I express myself correctly, but you will understand what I mean) not to let the secretary work by herself and judge what is good for the propaganda. I am sure Vilma Glücklich took the proposition as such a measure. And it would be the best justified, as she is working so well and wisely. I am always astonished and pleased with all the initiatives she gets and the way in which she executes them. We had never such good worker in the Geneva Office, and it is so [agreeable] to work with her. It is really a pity if she would get discouraged and sickened, either by the want of cooperation and fellowship, or by [too] much control and [superintendence] put on her. I need not assure you that I shall always do my best to help her, but I cannot do it so much as I would, as my task here is already hard enough. But after Pierre and the School, the League [is] my first aim.

Now I have not much place and time left to send you all my best wishes for Christmas. I would like to tell you also how much I enjoyed my America trip. I was called, some weeks ago, to speak of it in the village where my mother was born, and took this opportunity to speak of the Congress of Washington and of the League, after I had given a description of the places I had seen. I wanted to write ↑about America↓ a good deal after my return, but did not find the time for it, unfortunately.

Has Miss Hamilton come back from Russia? To her and all your friends I know, my best wishes and regards

Affectionately and devotedly yours

Marguerite Gobat [signed]