15 Central Park West

New York, New York

December 12, 1938

Mr. Jess Gorkin

Look Magazine

551 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York

Dear Mr. Gorkin:

Strangely enough, in spite of the fact that I changed the script twice, your suggestions were so right that I thought about them again and want to add a few new phrases to make the article more vital.

Page 5: after the sentence, “I collected all the material and statistics about the food situation in Spain. I spoke with dignitaries of the Spanish church, both the Protestant and Catholic, and got their support.”

Add:

I broadcasted from Madrid to America, and I addressed myself directly to the President of the United States. I said,

“The United States is today led by a man whom the whole world respects as one of the greatest democrats of our time, Franklin Roosevelt. May I be allowed from this broadcasting station in Madrid, a few hundred feet from the front-line trenches, hearing as I speak the roar of bursting grenades and shells, which will kill now sleeping civilians, may I be allowed to appeal to you, Mr. President, with deep deference and profound respect, to take the initiative for a national or international government action to help the civil population in Spain?

What right have I to appeal to you? The right of a human being who has seen the misery of war, who has watched in three weeks seventeen bombings, who has seen in ruined houses and in the morgue the bodies of murdered children who a few hours before were playing and laughing and hoping that the future would bring them that which all of us have a right to expect: ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’”

After this continue as in the manuscript: “After my return to England I got the support of trade-union leaders, of the Archbishops of Canterbury and of York, of the British and American Quakers. I travelled from country to country and interviewed members of governments, church dignitaries and trade-union leaders. I was happy to receive the support of the British, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish trade-unions, of the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish governments, and of many outstanding men of good will.”

Page 6: following the above, insert: A number of people may ask in whose service I have done, and am at present doing this work. Once and for all I should like to state that I am doing this on my own, without accepting any remuneration from anyone. In this way I can approach everybody as an independent writer, responsible only to the idea of solidarity. In my opinion actions like these are only effective if they are undertaken in such a way.

After this continue: “My plan is a very simple one.” etc.

I also want to tell you that I have some more very interesting photos, and some excellent drawings of tuberculous Spanish children and women during a bombardment. Please give me a ring. I shall be happy to help you.

Yours very truly,

Ernst Toller.

ET: ws