Stockholm
↑2 March 1925↓
Dear Miss Addams,
I am very sorry having to trouble you with what you might find as bad news.
You remember my telling you at Swarthmore that I was sure that the Swedish section would oppose a detailed international program. As you know many of us like me are absolute pacifists, but we feel us [handicapped] in our work by the new international program. Our Executive Committee as well as the annual meeting found that a proposal like this one ought to have passed the Sections before its adoption.
You might find it strange, but we have no difficulty to speak against "military sanctions" because there is really an understanding for the necessity of making the League of Nations a perfect instrument for peace but "defensive war" does not mean the same here as among the great nations. The Swedes know that their government never will begin an aggressive war, and when they speak of defensive war they think the Russian Bolschevists coming over us as they tried in Latvia some times ago. Of course I think the [page 2] only way is absolute pacifism and [peace mission] in the East, ↑but↓ I can not get them convinced if I do not begin with the active work ([peace mission]), and from that point of view might have them to understand the absolute pacifism, but we need time for such an education.
Things are quite different in Germany and Sweden. In Germany the pacifists have no opportunity to work among what we call moderate and liberal circles, but we have to do exactly that work. Most of our workingmen and many of our peasants are already strong pacifists and have their own [peace organizations], [collaborating] with our League. Our special task is to educate the woman of the [middle class]. If we can not work for that purpose I think we had better joining other [peace associations]. But I think the work among cultivated women are very important, and I should hate to give it up.
I hope you will understand that we love our League, and that we are very sorry to trouble you. We hope that we will be able to arrange the question in a good way. My personal conviction is that we ought to have a very short international program "to oppose all war," and that each country shall have a special program for her work. As little as possible of rules and creeds, and as much as possible of spirit and practical work, that is what needed.
I enclose a copy of the paper sent to Miss Glücklich.
I am trying to find persons for peacemission-work. That is more difficult than finding money, and even money are very rare. [page 3]
We have now taken up the question of collecting money for Geneva, and we will do our best to raise 2000 sw. francs.
We have been able to do a good national work this winter, but it has taken almost all our time.
In August I hope to go to Finland for a great Nordic [School meeting]. I am a member of the Committee, and will have a great opportunity to meet teachers of all parties. I intend to stay for some time in Finland, and will if possible go on to Estonia and Latvia.
At Whitsuntide there will be a Nordic Peace Conference in Oslo (Kristiania). That will be an opportunity to meet members of the Norwegian and the Danish League.
Believe us being of all our hearts true member of the League.
Affectionately yours
Matilda Widegren. [signed]
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