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PSF: GERTRUDE ELY
Subject File
PSF Ely, Gertrade
Box
146
1
PSF
Sertrudity
PERSONAL
March 25, 1939.
Dear Gertrude:-
Many thanks for the note. Never in my life
have I seen things moving in the world with more cross
currents or with greater velocity. Up to the last
summer I was willing to make mental bets that such
and such a thing would happen and such and such a
thing would not happen. Today, however, I have
stopped being a mental bookmaker because 80 many
horses are scratched and so many other horses be-
come added starters each twenty-four hours that we
are not even certain that the trainers, jookeys
and spectators may not end up in a "free-for-all"
fight in which the grandstand will be burned down
and most of the spectators, horses, trainers and
jockeys go to the hospital or the cometery!
What a day we have to live in!
Always sincerely,
Miss Gertrude Ely,
Wyndham Barn,
Bryn Mawr,
Pennsylvania.
WYNDHAM BARN
BRYN MAWR
PENNSYLVANIA
March 24, 1939
Dear Franklin:
I cannot tell you how
deeply thankfo I am for your COUI-
ageous and successfull decisions on
foreign policy during these last weeks,
and how fortunate we are to have you
ac leader at this critical time. I
realize full well, since I an trying
to keep in touch myself with the pub-
lic as far as I can, what your diffi-
culties are in this country, but at
the same time, I realize that people
are more than ever aware that we would
certainly be involved in any war
Threfor letter prepared to listen are to
I do wish you could help 700.
still further to eaken the F cist
bravado by imposing a high tariff on
imports from Japan right now, and I
believe that not only Japanese aggres-
sion in Olina would be seriously weak-
ened, but also that this would sake
a deep impression in Italy and Germany
as an evidence of our desire to CO-
operate in halting aggressive methods.
I wish that we could
also immediately increase credits to
Ohina, which would, of course, ucan
important help for the future of China
as well na protect our interests there.
Have you read Ronald Storrs' book on
Palestine? Chapter 15 gives a resume of
the development of the relation of Jews
and Arabs during many years, and I think
would interest you.
I wish that you could find a way of
solution for these conditions in Pales-
tine without taking sides. That is a
large order, but would it not be fine
if we could find a satisfactory colonial
policy for the British Empire)
I am working to help in the effort to
make it possible to take 10,000 German
children and young people in this coun_
try over and above the quota, I do hope
that this goes through.
Again with congratulations and appre-
ciation for what you are doing,
Sincerely yours,
fortrud Sly
RSF
3
WYNDHAM
Gertrude BARN Ely
BRYN MAWR
pennsylvania
April 4, 1939
Dear Franklin:
That was a very clever let-
ter that you wrote me in answer to my anx-
ious inquiries about what we could do to
stop Japan and help China, etc., etc.
Now I want to ask you if
there is any possibility of your proposing
or sending out a kind of feeler to the
country that a union of Democracies as
suggested by Clarence Streit in "Union
Now" be tried right now. The heading in
one of the papers this morning reads:
"Britain urges world union to stop Hitler."
This is the kind of phrase which by its
suggestion might unke it actually possible
to start the American people thinking along
these lines. As you well know, the Ameri-
can public is able to sake up its mind
almost over night if the situation is ripe
and preliminary phrameology has caught
them!
This union should not be
against any country out rather an organi-
zation for the promotion and protection
of the Democratic idea. If we could talk
to Canada and England, France, Holland,
and some of the Scandinavian countries,
the backing of a proposal by you might
be made 10 each one of the countries in
turn. All this any sound very nieve to
you and Mr. Hull, but I have had talks
with people from those countries and . ith
Clarence Streit, and one becomes hopeful
in spite of world appearances.
I hope that you are able, as I believe
you are, to take time off from all these
tremendous questions.
Very sincerely,
Gentrude Ely
Dictated,
out not read.
his 2326 CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON, STREET, D. C. N. W. Gertrud Ely
PSF
kag4
v/ly dear Franklin
Dogu feel like
seeing aroup 2 Phila
delphia Demo crats
who vant lo tell you
hos they teel about
th importance 2 Jack
Kellys containing H
leadership hi the County-
The want yher advice
about what lo do?
Cared ga see us next
Thursday or Friday
Jam staying with
Francis Perkins nutie
Suceday hight-
what a rewarkably
this, encaraging work
you are doing toward
Stopping this world-
highimare - Towarda
better wored-
Suncerely
gertrud Ey
full
THE WHITE HOUSE In-2
WYNDHAM BARN
BRYN MAWRO AM '39
PENNSYLVANIA
Gert.Ely
21st July, 1939.
Dear Franklin:
I enclose copy of a letter
I received this morning. The young
woman writing it graduated from Bryn
Mawr a few years ago and has been a very
effective correspondent in Geneva for a
Chicago paper. For the last year she
has been editing an international weekly
news sheet subscribed by editors,
publicists, speakers etc. She 18 8. keen
observer and I thought you might be
interested to hear what she has to say.
She works close with Englishmen, but
is by no means an Anglophile.
I still hope there 18 some-
thing you can do to help the people of
this country understand the international
situation and that, if you think it
possible or wise, you will persuade the
people we should abrogate the treaty of
1911, with Japan, after six months notice.
The causes of free living
and thinking and humanitarianism are in
need of strengthening and encouragement
and it seems that you can do it more
effectively than any other national
leader at this time.
wyndham BARN
BRYN MAWR
pennsylvania
page 2 -
The confidence in the strength of these
standards of living is slipping in the
face of determined and effective and
cruel behaviour on the part of auto-
cracies.
What a terrific load 18 on your
shoulders and yet I am one of those who,
while I appreciate what a load it is,
am full of admiration for what you are
doing and, unless somebody can be found
who you are convinced will carry on in
your way, I hope you will run for a
third term.
Tery succerely;
You have undoubtedly had repercussions from over here
already on the Neutrality issue, and I have no idea where you stand
on the matter, but I would guess that it 18 very nearly where I do -
1.e. the necessity for keeping the U.S. out of this war which may
come, and at the same time, doing everything possible to make the
war impossible.
I've just had a long luncheon with a former German
diplomat who 18 here from Berlin for a few days. He confirms reports
that the Senate decision to shelve neutrality revision was received
in high Nazi circles with unbounded glee. He thinks that it may
act as one of the principal deciding factors in the minds of the
leaders when they consider action against Poland. Moreover he
says the Nazis are convinced that if U.S. legislation is not
chamged before the outbreak of war, it will never be,
My reports indicate that German war supplies are
definitely limited, but that they feel confidence in their ability
to win the "blitzkrieg" against Britain, France etc. 80 long 8.8
the latter have no possibility of replenishing from the U.S.
I am very much frightened at the prospect for the
U.S. for there seems to be little doubt in peoples' minde at home
(and here you can judge far better than I) that public opinion
once bombs begin falling on London and Paris. Should it do so,we
13 Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W.1.
Miss Helen P. Kirkpatrick
will react very strongly in favour of assistance to Britain et al
will have lost the dual advantage of legislation enacted now which
would guarantee us against participation and yet open our markets
to all purchasers irrespective of nationality. If Britain and
France are able to prevent shipments from reaching Germany and
Italy, there can be no reflection on our neutrality, but we will
have & potential enemy eliminated for us,
You have no doubt watched the amazing changes taking
place here. Your friends have been not ineffective in helping to
create it. From the position of a Government which had virtually
no check placed upon it, it has become one which follows reluctant-
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- 2 -
ly perhaps, but none the less follows the strong ourrent of public
opinion. There is little question but that the average Englishman
has made up his mind to have a war, if Hitler insists, and no effor
of Mr. Chamberlain will be able to persuade him that Danzig is not.
worth fighting for. There is though, I think, very little real
appreciation of the type of war it is going to be. But preparations
are going forward in a most business-like fashion, I was suddenly
struck by the strength of democracy aroused, at the parade of
national service volunteers in Hyde Park a few weeks ago. Thousands
of women and men in uniform - most of them clerks and housewives
who have given their leisure hours every week for months to
training.
It is becoming more and more difficult to get any real inside
information anywhere now, Sources from Germany and Italy are
pretty well stopped up, and every caution is taken here and in
Paris to prevent leakages on vital matters. It 18, thus difficult
to judge the future potentialities. But some of the experts here
believe that the democracies have won a slight advantage. The one
great danger is that confidence may increase to such 8. point that
the "appeasers", who remain as convinced as ever of the feasibil-
ity of appeasing, will seize upon the opportunity to deal kindly
with the "defeated foe" - who is of course as yet undefeated.
Such a move would put us back just where we were in March.
I venture to prediot that Winston Churchill will not be taken
into the Cabinet before the outbreak of war when N.C. will retire.
The latter is tired and hen't the heart or spirit necessary to
rally people to a cause in which he doesn't believe,
Tile personal
you
WYNDHAM BARN
w
PSF
BRYN MAWR
pennsylvania
Sertandi Ely
Thursday
Tents det
1939
Dear Franklin:
RECE
When the shouting and the
tumult dies and it is all summed up and
evaluated, you are still winning victor-
ies all along the line, I am thankful
too, you have decided to try to halt
Japan, by abrogating the 1911 treaty and
I only hope Japan doesn't succeed in
buying war materials furiously from us
during the next six months, I noticed
a Greek steamer loaded with scrap-iron
sailed to Japan from Philadelphia last
week.
Take care of yourself for,
although masses of people are with you
and plenty more are gradually learning,
there are still a good many of the
articulate ones who have not learned
their lesson. Use me when you will.
Tell Eleanor please that
I hope to see her this fall.
Very sincerely yours,
Terboud Ey
PSF Genlow
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
3/29/40
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Do be sure that you want to say
this much in this letter. Remember
she 1s bound to use it in nome way.
Missy
Prescript curote in Loughard reoregued
(Veryprinate -dontuse!) FAR
March 21, 1940.
Dear Gertrude:-
Thank you for that grand pamphlet proving
for businesseen that we are in for another "three
or four chickens in the pot era". It is true, I
think, that so-called prosperity is good -- in
other words, on old standards the business index
is high. But we have not yet developed the method
of keeping it there even though in the past few
years we have made definite strides along that
line. what I hate to think about is that a
conservative Republican or Democratic Adminis-
tration would inevitably go back to the old basis
of 1929 and we would equally inevitably run into
another depression financially and socially.
You poor people in Pennsylvania are
surely in a quandayy. Very privately and con-
fidentially, I would in your place take the
position that it does not make a great deal of
difference which side wins in the primary and
that bitterness should be kept to a minimum.
My own hope is that next Summer wiser heads will
bury the hatchet and put out & joint ticket of
real strength which may have some chance to win.
Thank you for Rodin. It is a good
thing for all of us to look at "The Thinker
but incidentally (though I have never heard this
consent before) he has his hand over his mouth,
is sayin' nothin' and just thinkin' along.
As ever yours,
Miss dertrude Kly,
Bryn Mawr,
Pennerlvania.
GERTRUDE ELY
BRYN MAWR. PENNSYLVANIA March 18
Dear Franklin
I I thuk this very
rosy picture of the
country's Credition today-
This fervers cak to
besiness men to do their
duty- may bring a
Imile This you to mething
to quote.
your talk on faturday
Loas his- just right-
I wish you Cared tell me
Car pdentially what advice
to give when actin Drue
crats in Pa. have lo make
aehoice before 76 frimary
whether lo line up with the
guffey or # anti-Suffey
factions I tell Then
hat lo take sides the
of Carse that is not
possibe then there are
candidate 2 both
factions for Every Pocal
state office - feeling
runes high especially arrong
her of usepe Drueocrats.
after being with tome
Careless talkers th orter
day see thes
Thinker 2 Rodius-
sendyr a photographto
look at how ther when
you are hard presed_8
think Thank Hraight!
bish your Carren wared
keep them fuening aith
GERTRUDE ELY
BRYN MAWR. PENNSYLVANIA
Third Term no matter,
that they think - Ilike
to see them Tel perious
periouser
Take very good care 2
Thersief funceries -
Vortrud Say
SV
hig
MUSEUM
1
the Thinker
CGUSTE RODIN
Form
ords must accompany any reproduction of this photograph
be PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART Philadelphia"