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Totah, Khalil, Mrs. [Eva]
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Pre-Presidential Papers of Richard M. Nixon
General Correspondence
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MRS. KHALIL TOTAH
402 SOUTH WASHINGTON AVENUE
WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA
erass
March 19
1956
Hanna Nixon
Dear Friend,
I have just read with interest the
yearly report of the American Colony
Charities Association of erusalem and
having finished with it and made my contri-
bution to its work, I thought you might be
interested in it and might even wish to send
it on to your son, Dick. That part of the
world is in such precarious condition at
this time and several items in this report
are so pertinent to it that I thought it
might be valuable.
The American Colony has worked for so
many years right there in Jerusalem and Mrs.
Vester is so able that her note of the
reaction of Arabs to the situation would
be worth attention. I am sure you will
find a great deal in her report to give
you food for thought, and if you see fit
to send it on to Dick with comment it would
certainly be helpful.
I have recently read a new brochure
"Who Knows Better Must Say So", by Rabbi
Elmer Berger, Secretary of the American
Council for Judiasm, who just returned from
a visit to the countries of the Middle
East where he studied the situation of the
Jews in the Arab countries and also Israel.
It is the most amazing document I have read
for a long time. Would you like to see it?.
Very best wishes,
Sincerely yours
Eva Total
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
From 1616'
3-La mirada ave
U.S. POSTAGE 3¢
LISENTY
NBODWE
La Habra Calif
TRUST
LIBERTY
U.S STAGE 3¢
Vice President Richard Nixon
att- - Washington Rose mary Woods
D. C.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
1955
AMERICAN COLONY CHARITIES
ASSOCIATION
incorporated New York
178 East 70th Street - New York 21, N. Y.
Honorary President: The Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick
President: Hon. Harold B. Minor
and
AMERICAN COLONY
AID ASSOCIATION
Founded by Mrs. Frederick Vester
Jerusalem - Jordan
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
AMERICAN COLONY CHARITIES ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT
OFFICERS
The Rev. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, Honorary President
Hon. Harold B. Minor, President
It was just twenty years ago that my wife and I arrived in Jerusalem
Mrs. John H. Finley, First Vice-President
to take up my post as Consul in Jerusalem. We stayed temporarily at
Mr. Lowell Thomas, Second Vice-President
the American Colony and came into contact for the first time with
Mrs. Alvah L. Miller, Secretary
Mrs. Vester and the good works she, and before her her mother, has
Miss Sarah S. Lyon, Assistant Secretary
been doing. Since that time I have been intimately associated with
Mrs. Frederick W. Longfellow, Treasurer
Near Eastern affairs and have had occasion to visit Jerusalem and to
observe at first hand the continued development of these fine activ-
DIRECTORS
ities. The most recent of these visits took place in June 1955, which
roughly coincided with my election as President of the American
The Rev. Dr. Charles T. Bridgeman
Colony Charities Association.
Mrs. F. Kingsbury Curtis
I know of no work of this nature in the Near East which is more
Mrs. Walter G. Dunnington
The Rev. Dr. Edward L. R. Elson
productive of human results than Mrs. Vester's activities embraced
Mrs. Mansfield Ferry
in the American Colony Aid Association. The Spafford Children's
Mrs. Harry Emerson Fosdick
Hospital, the clinic and infant welface center are outstanding ex-
Mr. Alvah L. Miller
amples of unselfish and devoted service. This work has been rendered
The Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
even more urgent by the tragic refugee situation which has greatly
Mrs. William M. Seabury
increased the need in Jerusalem without, unfortunately, proportionate
Mrs. Fielding Lewis Taylor
increase in facilities and income. The budget for this work is tiny
Mrs. Lowell Thomas, Jr.
and the overhead costs unusually small. Almost everything given by
The Rev. Dr. Ralph Curry Walker
our supporters goes directly into alleviating disease and suffering.
It should be noted also that the work of the American Colony Aid
AMERICAN COLONY AID ASSOCIATION
Association in Jerusalem has been a shining example of the best in
COMMITTEE IN JERUSALEM
American private endeavor. In this tragic political hour, these activ-
ities stand as a bulwark of American influence and understanding.
Mr. Slator C. Blackiston, Jr. Honorary President
The Annual Report which is attached uses two titles - The Ameri-
Dr. Mahmoud Dajani, President
can Colony Charities Association Inc., under which tax free contri-
Mrs. Frederick Vester, Secretary-Treasurer
Mr. Musa Alami
butions are made in the United States and the American Colony Aid
Mr. Hanna Atalla
Association which is the operating agency in Jerusalem, Jordan.
Mr. Anton Atalla
I sincerely hope that old friends will rally to support this work at
Mrs. J. Whiting
a time of crisis in Jerusalem and throughout the entire Middle East
Dr. Y. Hajjar
and that many new friends will be added during 1956 to the list of
Mrs. A. G. Lind
our contributors.
February 1, 1956
Harold B. Minor
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
AMERICAN COLONY AID ASSOCIATION
Fifth Avenue at 29th Street, West
Arab Jerusalem, Palestine
New York 1, New York
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Dr. Mahmoud Dajani
Mr. Slator C. Blackiston, Jr.
President
Hon. President
January 5, 1956
Mrs. Bertha Spafford Vester
Secretary-Treasurer
Mrs. Bertha Spafford Vester
January 25, 1956
American Colony Aid Association
To our friends and supporters:
Arab Jerusalem, PALESTINE
You should know something of the conditions under which we are
Dear Mrs. Vester:
conducting our work.
Ever since the division of Palestine, we have known that one day
I want you to know of my great enthusiasm for the work of the
the refugees would burst their bounds and do something desperate.
American Colony Aid Association. Having visited the American
These 900,000 Palestinian refugees whose ancestors had held and
tilled the land for over a thousand years are all farmers.
Colony in Jerusalem, and having had the privilege of meeting your
The intricate history of the National Zionist movement reached
family and yourself, I know at first hand something about the great
its culminating point in the autumn of 1947, when the United Nations
work which you have done over so many years.
recommended the division of Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish
section. The city of Jerusalem was to be internationalized. Jordan got
Personally, I feel that you stand in a very important place in this
the arid and rocky part, with no deep water port. Israel occupied
historic moment. All through the years, you and your associates have
what they never possessed before, the Philistine country and the fertile
coastal strip.
been building constructively in that tension area of the world,
President Truman supported the partition plan and acknowledged
rendering loving service to God's children, and you are deserving of
the State of Israel instantly.
the sacrificial and enthusiastic support of thoughtful people everywhere.
Zionist propaganda was and still is efficient. How little the Ameri-
can public has known about the real issue which resulted in the plight
I hope that many will learn of your work and will be impelled to
of the Palestinian refugees. It is a matter of gratitude that since the
give generously to it of their cooperation, their prayers and their
Deir Yaseen massacre, Americans are getting more reliable informa-
money. I want you to know that you can count upon me at all times
tion. The American Council for Judaism, through the Jewish news-
letter and other agencies, are bravely countering Zionist propaganda.
for devoted support of your work.
Is it any wonder that the fiercest antagonism in the recent riots
was aimed against America and Americans?
With kind regards and praying God's richest blessing upon you
The visit to the Jordan capital of Sir Gerald Templer was the
and yours, I am
spark that set off the revolt against the Iraqi-Turkish Pact. I do not,
for a moment, think that the mob understood what they were pro-
testing against. Without any doubt, they were led and paid by com-
Cordially yours,
munist infiltrators and propoganda, which had been seeping into
Norman Vincent Peale
countries. the Palestinian refugee camps through some of the neighboring
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
A very natural cause for the sudden outburst this year is that after
SPAFFORD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
a long drought, this country has had a copious rainfall. To these
ANNUAL REPORT 1955
tillers of the soil, early rain means ploughing. These unhappy people
STAFF
have not one inch of land to plough and they gnashed their teeth
with resentment.
Matron, Four Staff Nurses, Ten Pupil Nurses, Doctor in Charge,
They are huddled into enormous camps regardless of ancient family
Assistant Doctor, Two ward maids, One cook, Three Washer women,
feuds, even blood feuds and had come to the end of endurance.
Man of all work.
The climax came before Christmas, when mobs of youths and
Six hundred and twenty three children passed through the Spaf-
girls, even small school children surged the streets - true to the
ford Children's Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 1955,
communist pattern which puts children into the forefront. Twice they
ranging in age from birth to fourteen years. This is an increase of
attacked the American Consulate. They headed for the Turkish Con-
more than two hundred over last year, and represents 9815 hospitaliza-
sulate, but got hold by mistake, of the French doctor. The mob, which
tion days. 575 were dismissed cured and 48 died of various maladies.
I estimated to be about 2000, passed the American Colony. They
Malnutrition, Tuberculosis, Gastro-Enteritis, Anaemia and Broncho-
threw stones and 101 window panes were broken. An encouraging
Pneumonia being the most prevelent; there are many more.
fact is that the mob divided. Half tried to protect us while the other
Forty one major and thirty five minor operations were performed,
half were determined to throw stones. Excitement and frenzy possessed
successfully.
them. We got off lightly.
The formal opening of the unique (for Jordan) and well equipped
I kept the Clinic open and dealt with several casualties. We
operating theatre took place under sensational conditions. The day
harbored the French doctor, his wife, children and nurse, as well as
fixed for the ceremony commemorated the 74th anniversary of Mr.
the American Consul and his family.
and Mrs. H. G. Spafford and their associates founding the American
Other American institutions fared badly. The excellent Mennonite
Colony in the house that has now become a memorial to the ministry
Relief Work in Jericho was destroyed. The Baptist Hospital in Ajloun,
of service they started then.
east of the Jordan river, was attacked. Dr. Lovegreen was operating
Just before the dedication took place, two children arrived in ur-
at the time and did not stop. Not one of the staff left during the
gent need of appendectomy. The operation could not be postponed.
attack. But the new buildings outside the compound were destroyed.
While Canon Every of St. George's Cathedral offered prayers dedicat-
The American Tuberculosis hospital on the road to Hebron was
ing the new addition to God, these children were being operated on.
attacked, stoned and the doctor's household belongings looted. How-
The solemnity of the occasion was increased by what was taking
ever, they were all returned. The staff stood at their post all through.
place on the other side of the wall.
America can well be proud of its representatives in Palestine.
OUR GREAT NEED
UNRWA stores in several places were burnt and looted. Point IV
suffered damage. After days of anxiety martial law was declared.
To diagnose properly an X-Ray Unit is indispensable and we
Everything is quiet now, and conditions are returning to normal.
ordered a small machine, hoping it would suffice.
This is a severe lesson. Unless America and Britain agree on a
Great economy had to be exercised in equipping the new part
policy and bring pressure to bear so that the United Nations enforce
and, in this instance, we were too economical. The X-Ray Unit
the resolution voted on and unanimously passed, which corrected the
arrived and was installed, but proved inadequate. The importers
cruel division of Palestine, compensated the Palestinian refugees and
agreed to take it back and we lost nothing in the transaction. The
recommended the internationalization of Jerusalem, they might just
machine we need is a Gempcon "200" M.A. X-Ray Unit fitted also
as well realize that they have forfeited the friendship of the whole
for superficial Therapy treatment and will cost $8,227.50. We have
Arab Middle East.
$2,375.00 toward that sum.
Signed,
I am hoping and praying that some kind friends will supply this
great need.
Bertha Spafford Vester
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
THE AMERICAN COLONY AID ASSOCIATION, JERUSALEM
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31ST DECEMBER, 1955
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
JD.fils
JD.fils
JD.fils
JD.fils
DONATIONS THROUGH TREASURER,
PAYMENTS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES
Salaries
506.500
JERUSALEM
Postages and Telegrams
75.565
William Volker's Fund
875.000
Printing and Stationery
58.840
Arabian American Oil Co.
739.535
Car Expenses
294.565
Readers Digest Foundation
720.000
Travelling Expenses (Mrs. Vester's)
404.500
Sundry Donations
1,690.905
Help to Needy Persons
27.500
Special Donations
522.710
4,548.150
Sundries
40.940
1,408.410
PAYMENTS TO ARAB NATIONAL HOSPITAL,
DONATIONS THROUGH THE AMERICAN
BETHLEHEM BEIT-JALA
600.00
LOAN FROM AMERICAN COLONY
CHARITIES ASSOCIATION, INC.,
HOTELS LTD., REPAID
98.195
NEW YORK
9,464.220
CLINIC
BAZAAR
Salaries and Wages
977.010
Medicines
805.115
Proceeds
121.620
Rent
228.000
Less Expenses
32.855
88.765
Light and Water
7.590
CLINIC
Printing and Stationery
15.600
Donations
6.120
Equipment, Repairs and Maintenance
75.855
Fees
1,143.275
Sundries
100
2,109.270
Sundries
550
1,149.945
SPAFFORD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Salaries and Wages
3,115.168
Food
979.365
SPAFFORD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Medicines
349.005
Donations
204.790
Light and Water
205.850
Fees
111.125
Heating
348.820
Sundries
13.995
329.910
Telephone
24.900
Furniture, Equipment, Repairs
and Maintenance
2,354.595
INFANT WELFARE CENTRE
Building
200.000
Donations
9.000
Sundries
26.310
7,604.013
Fees
516.825
525.825
INFANT WELFARE CENTRE
TOTAL RECEIPTS
$16,106.815
Salaries and Wages
1,350.237
Medicines
192.495
Equipment, Repairs and Maintenance
42.720
BALANCE, as at the 1st January 1955, being:
Sundries
460
1,585.912
Cash at Barclay's Bank (D.C.&O.)
TOTAL PAYMENTS
$13,405.800
Jerusalem, Israel (Frozen)
216.648
BALANCE, as at the 31st December 1955, being:
Cash at Ottoman Bank, Jerusalem Jordan
1.450
Cash at Barclay's Bank (D.C.&O.)
Cash in Hand
27.149
245.247
Jerusalem, Israel (Frozen)
216.648
JD.16,352.062
Cash at Ottoman Bank, Jerusalem - Jordan
1,450
Cash in Hand
2,728.164
2,946.262
JERUSALEM, 20th January 1956.
JD. 16,352.062
We have examined the above Receipts and Payments Account with the books and documents relating thereto and certify it to be correct
in accordance therewith.
CHARTERED ACCOUNTS
HONORARY AUDITORS: RUSSELL & CO.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
INFANT WELFARE CENTER
1930 eye cases were treated. Serious eye trouble is referred to the
Ophthalmic Hospital of the Order of St. John.
ANNUAL REPORT 1955
3169 injections of Penicillin, Liver extract etc. and 241 intravenous
STAFF
injections were given.
Matron, One Assistant, One Visiting Nurse, One Cleaner, Doctor
Malaria is again prevelant, although it had vertically been stamped
in Charge Assistant Doctor.
out. Tuberculosis is on the increase, due to malnutrition to such a
Six hundred and twenty nine (629) children were registered in the
degree that it it frightening.
Infant Welfare Center during 1955. A notable advance is the fact
Each year mention is made of having no hospital accommodation
that we have succeeded in convincing mothers that they must bring
for the adult destitute sick. 228 patients were sent from our Clinic
their babies regularly to the Center and not wait until they are sick.
to the Arab National Hospital in Bethlehem, over 17 kilometers of
Consequently 22,028 visits were paid by mothers bringing their
tortuous road.
babies.
4893 were seen by the doctors and 211 were admitted to the
The Augusta Victoria Hospital can only accept accredited refugees,
Spafford Children's Hospital.
but there are many other miserably poor who have been rendered
homeless by the division of Palestine and who are worse off than
Our home visiting nurse paid 2067 visits to homes. This is an
official refugees. What happens to them? No record is kept of their
important part of the work. She checks upon what is being done at
misery, heartache and death.
home and inspires more cooperation.
A second visiting nurse would be an asset.
Refugees are admitted to our Clinic whenever possible, and 5749
The majority of children suffer from malnutrition. Test feeds of
of our patients were official refugees in 1955.
nursing mothers are made and supplementary feeding supplied.
67 minor operations were performed in the Clinic.
2499 portions of milk were given to these children and much more
could be given if we had the means.
I wish I had time and space to give particulars.
An encouraging feature is that 322 mothers attended cooking
classes in the preparation of babies food. 147 mothers attended sew-
ing classes. Many of them are expectant mothers and they receive
PLEASURE OF THIS LIFE AND COMPENSATION
the layette after making it.
IN THE NEXT
OUT PATIENT CLINIC
by
ANNUAL REPORT 1955
Mr. Yousef Hanna, Editor of Ad-Difaa
STAFF
Newspaper
Matron, One Staff Nurse, One Assistant, One Cleaner, Two volun-
teers, Door keeper and chauffeur.
(Article appeared on Nov. 8, 1955)
During 1955, 39,636 patients were attended to in the Out Patient
Clinic of the American Colony Aid Association.
Yesterday I spent over an hour in one of the abodes of mercy.
8163 patients were seen by our two doctors and 3544 treatments
There one feels even for a short time, that one is separated from a
were given.
world where people are monopolized with politics, where men's minds
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
AMERICAN COLONY CHARITIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
have become impregnated with evil; evil that creates hell on earth,
where innocent children are the fuel.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Yesterday, the venerable Mrs. Vester invited me to visit the house
where her parents started the work among the destitute of the Holy
Fiscal Year: January 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955
City, seventy four years ago. This house is now the Spafford Chil-
dren's Hospital. The hospital is supported by her and by contributions.
BALANCE ON HAND - January 1, 1955
$18,451.13
I was indeed astonished to see this Institution. It is unique in the
RECEIPTS
East. It is fully equipped with medical and surgical appliances, but
is for children only. Dr. Mahmoud Dajani works in this hospital.
Contributions:
He confirmed these facts.
Boston, Mass.
$
160.00
Buffalo, N. Y.
65.00
In this hospital I saw children who have lost their eyesight from
California
6,496.00
Connecticut
188.00
lack of food. I saw children who were emaciated in body, gnawed
Detroit, Mich.
225.00
by hunger until they resembled wood corrupted by termites. Medical
Illinois (Chicago and Oak Park)
920.00
care and sufficient food are given these children, but especially it is
Indianapolis, Ind.
250.00
the love and sympathy of this venerable lady, who in spite of being
Massachusetts
80.00
eighty, still continues the work she believes in. It is her joy in this
Michigan
1,135.00
Minneapolis, Minn.
400.00
life and her hope of recompense in the next.
Montclair, N. J.
877.00
New Jersey (Orange and Princeton)
447.00
This esteemed lady said to me: "And we received a girl whose
New York
3,030.00
Pennsylvania
250.00
body was wracked with tuberculosis. She looked utterly forsaken like
Rochester, N. Y.
210.00
a wall in a ruined house which is a common sight these days. "She
Texas
823.61
continued, "Dr. Dajani told me that her cure would be costly, and
Utica, N. Y.
225.00
how could we meet the cost for one patient when we had about four
Miscellaneous
15,456.00
thousand every month. I withdrew to my room, "said this venerable
Total Contributions
$31,237.61
lady, "to be alone with God. I offered Him a fervent prayer that He
would help me to save the girl's life." Dr. Dajani completed the
Refunds:
story. "After a short time, I picked up the telephone and heard the
Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick -
venerable lady speaking."
"Look Applauds"
13.10
"God has answered my prayer," she said, "I have received enough
Exchanges:
money so you can begin your work in the name of God." Since then
Bernice Powers
16.80
the girl has gone away cured.
Total Receipts
$31,267.51
How can we tell what this woman can do? God destroyed Lot's
Total Balance and Receipts
$49,718.64
DISBURSEMENTS — Schedule
$40,223.33
city because there was not found five righteous souls to save it.
Perhaps this righteous woman and other pious men and women may
BALANCE ON HAND - December 31, 1955
$ 9,495.31
be the salvation of the West and prevent total destruction.
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
AMERICAN COLONY CHARITIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
C. LAWRENCE FLYNN
Certified Public Accountant
FINANCIAL REPORT
488 Madison Avenue
New York
Fiscal Year: January 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955
DISBURSEMENTS
Tel.: COrtlandt 7-6347
Remittances to American Colony Aid
Association - Jerusalem
$21,000.00
Member of the New York Bar
Drugs, etc.:
Dr. Mahmoud Dajani
January 30, 1956
8,000.00
Surgical Instruments (funds donated
The Board of Directors
by Ford Foundation)
5,500.00
American Colony Charities Association, Inc.
Travel Expenses (Mrs. Bertha
Mrs. Frederick W. Longfellow, Treasurer
Spafford Vester)
1,325.00
178 East 70th Street
Secretary - Stenographic and
New York 21, New York
Clerical Services
318.88
Gentlemen:
Stationery - Berkshire Press
619.00
Stillman Associates
8.10
I have examined the Statement of Cash Receipts and Disburse-
Postage
97.00
ments of American Colony Charities Association Inc. for the year
Auditing Services
ended December 31, 1955, have reviewed the accounting procedures
325.00
of the Association and have examined accounting records and other
Miscellaneous Expenses
13.55
supporting evidence, by methods and to the extent I deemed appro-
priate.
Total Expenses
$37,206.53
In my opinion the accompanying Statement of Cash Receipts and
Exchanges:
Disbursements presents fairly the cash receipts and disbursements of
the American Colony Charities Association, Inc. for the year ended
Bernice Powers
$
16.80
December 31, 1955 and the balance of cash on hand at that date,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied
Automobile (donated by
on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year.
Mrs. Richard H. Dougherty)
$ 3,000.00
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS
$40,223.33
Respectfully,
C. LAWRENCE FLYNN
MRS. FREDERICK W. LONGFELLOW
Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant
178 East 70 Street
State of New York
New York 21, N. Y.
State of New Jersey
Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library