Geneva, November 22nd. 1920.
My dear Miss Addams,
I hope Miss Merriman has been sending on to you some of my reports on the situation here and my endeavors to secure [cooperation] from this side for our projected conference. Unfortunately, practically all the men or women whom we really wanted are so tied up with absolutely essential commitments, that they cannot possibly get away for a Christmas meeting. There is still a possibility however that Gilbert Murray may be induced to accept.
I am convinced however after my weeks in England, France, Germany, Austria and here in Switzerland, that America still holds all or enough of the "trump cards" to force the changes in the treaties of Versailles and St Germain which are essential to the economic reconstruction of Europe as the price of America's adherence to the European settlement. Just because I believe that we still have an opportunity to rectify the worst phases of the Paris Settlement, [page 2] I am sailing for home December 4th, despite my great desire to stay through the entire session of the Assembly, which in many ways is proving much more promising than I anticipated. We must however miss no opportunity to convince the new Administration of the necessity for putting definite pressure on France to force from her what can in no other way be secured, moderation of the economic provisions of the treaties. Personally I should prefer to work through the regular recognized channels of the next Administration, but if we cannot be influential in any other way, we can appeal to the irreconcilables to support our conditions. It is encouraging to believe, what I think is the truth that England would be pleased to have us put pressure on her to induce her to bring her influence strongly to bear on France. It is this consideration [that] which makes me hope that [Myron] Herrick may after all not be Secretary of State.
I shall hope to have a chance to talk over many things with you soon after my return.
Very sincerely yours,
James G. McDonald [signed]
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