11 October 1962

Dear Helen:

Who was the person who said that if only women were in charge of the world everything would be peaceful? !!!

I have received your letter and the copy of the letter - which you have written to Mrs. Menninger. I had had no word of any of this until returning home yesterday from a stay up on our ranch, where we went to do some writing. I found a letter from Frances Herring here that contained some of the information also about the dissatisfaction which some of the delegates from the United States feel about your conference.

I think that it is significant that nothing has been said to me, although since I am the person over whom there seems to be disagreement one would feel that if the criticism were justified they would be sent to me. Do you not think that this is significant?

The meeting on Sunday in Montreal was attended by most of the delegates from the United States, although Mrs. Menninger was not there (Mrs. Menninger also was absent). At this meeting many general things were discussed, and it was decided that a coordination committee composed of Mrs. Boulding, Mrs. Keyes, and Mrs. Laibman, all from the Midwest, should serve as a committee to help disseminate any of the material which the liaison committee set up. I was heartily in favor of this, and, when, after talking with you, with Marie Lous Mohr, with Mrs. Ayar, I resigned in favor of Dr. Frances Herring, I wrote immediately from New York to these three people saying that I had resigned in favor of Dr. Herring, had spoken with you and you had agreed, and had spoken with Marie Lous Mohr - in fact, I said that the other members of the committee were in agreement. I also wrote to Mrs. Collins, since she was the only member of the committee that I had not spoken to per sonally. I feel that what we have done is right, is legal, and that it is the best thing which could have been done for the continuation of the wonderful things that you and VOW began at this conference

It is a wonderful thing that VOW did in making a start towards cooperation between the women of the East and those of the West, and I hope very much, dear Mrs. Tucker, that you will not let the disruptive influences of some of the people from the United States destroy this wonderful beginning. I believe, sincerely and wholeheartedly, that Frances Herring is the very best person you could have to carry on the work that you have so ably begun. When I say you, I of course mean you and your committee and indeed the entire membership of VOW.

I must say that I am regretful of the fact that it seems always to be the delegates from the United States who cause difficulties at all of the conferences. I feel responsible for this to some extent, and I try hard to not be disruptive myself. I am not successful, I judge, because it seems that people have certain animosities towards me. This is of no importance, and I do not mind at all, except that I do think the world is in a very grave situation and that women could do a good bit to help bring reason to the world.

May I say just a few words to you about the situation here in the United States? You know, of course, that the WILPF is an old and honored organization of women who have worked quietly and consistently for peace and world disarmament. It is, contrary to what some of you think in Canada, quite a reactionary organization. Perhaps reactionary is too strong a word, and certainly this does not apply to all of the members, but I think on the whole it is a reasonable word. Perhaps I should say conservative. You must know that it has only some 5,500 members, although it has been in existence for nearly 50 years. I think it is only reasonable for the WIL to look on these new vigorous organizations with some suspicion and perhaps a little envy. The tradition of Jane Addams and the wonderful women from all over the world who worked with her should be an example for all of us. I say this to you because I do not want you to over - emphasize the role played by WIL. But, I want to repeat that it is the oldest peace organization in the United States and has a fairly good record of supporting the right things, and usually at the right time - although perhaps there has been some what too much of a lag in this.

What can I say to you that will help you in this very great task that lies before us? I think that you should stand firmly by the decisions made at the conference. To try and find some one who will please everyone is of course an impossibility - at least you will not find anyone that will please everyone all of the time. I think, too, that you should go over the conference carefully, and the meetings, and decide yourself just what the obstructions were and who were the obstructionists. This may help you to realize that the decision made was really the right one. I am convinced of this. I have every confidence in Frances Herring's integrity, in her intelligence, and in her knowledge.

There is no doubt that she knows more about the situation with regard to nuclear weapons than any other person there. I, of course, do not know everyone well that was there, but, of the people that I do know I am sure her knowledge is superior. Her temperament is excellent, her reasoning is sound, and her great faith in the democratic process puts her above and beyond almost anyone that attended your conference.

When Mary Clarke approached me in the beginning to serve as the liaison chairman for the United States, I said at once that Frances Herring should do it. I am genuinely glad that I was of some influence perhaps In persuading her to do this difficult job. It is really shocking that the other delegates from the United States should be making it so difficult for you and for her - indeed for all of us.

While all of these letters have been going back and forth, apparently, I myself have been quite free from worry and have already made a radio broadcast about international cooperation year and am going to do another in November. I have already begun to raise funds to provide a secretary for Dr. Herring and have made good progress towards getting up lists of people from other countries to submit to her for her selection. Of course, I do not mean to infringe in any way on her prerogatives as the liaison chairman from the United States, but I want to be as helpful as I can. May I repeat that I consider that you and VOW have done a remarkable job, and you must not let anything interfere with carrying forward this really important work that you have begun.

Surely the wonderful words of Madame Ekpo from Africa and the enthusiasm of the women generally should give you courage to carry on.

I would be happy to do anything that I could to make it easier for you, and I ask you to write to me quite frankly. My experience teaches me, however, that it never pays to try to run away from these criticisms, and these attacks. One must do as nearly right as one can and then stand by one's decisions. Of course, to me it seems obvious that everyone will work to bring women from everywhere and from every kind of political background and thought into this international cooperation year. That was the purpose of your conference, and people who did not agree surely would not have attended. The fact that we all came must surely indicate that we are all willing to work for the cooperation of everyone, and I am con fident that Dr. Herring is the best person to secure the coopera tion of all of the other peace groups. The very fact that she is not wholly committed to WIL, but nevertheless a good member of WIL, makes it all the more apparent that she is the right person.

Let me end this letter by saying that I personally learned much, and I shall always remember the beautiful lake and setting of La Reserve. Montreal I have always liked and regret that I never have enough time to see the things that I should like to see again. We have so many friends in Montreal that I am always tempted to telephone them and say "let us just enjoy ourselves."

Please write to me frankly, and I have always welcomed criticism from anyone who is wanting to give it. Of course, I object to defamation of character, and I think anything that people say they should not say unless it can be verified with factual knowledge. I send you greetings and I send you my fer vent hope that you will stand fast by the decisions reached at your wonderful conference which marks a turn in the peace activities of women in the world. My greetings to all of the people who work with you.

Sincerely, [AHP]