Description:

Charles Lindbergh
Calcutta, India, March 11, 1937
Charles Lindbergh ALS, "Another major war may easily cause an indefinite period of chaos in Europe", Great Pacifist Letter!
ALS
Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-1974). Autograph Letter Signed, "Charles A. Lindbergh", 7pp, on Great Eastern Hotel stationery, 5" x 8", Calcutta, India, March 11, 1937. Expected mailing folds and creases. Paper clip impressions at top left with very faint rust staining at first page of letter. Partially erased pencil notations from previous collector. Minor soiling and scattered spotting. In fine condition and boldly written. Housed in an attractive custom presentation case measuring 9.5" x 12.25".

To William E. Dodd (1869-1940) who was the United States Ambassador to Germany from 1933 to 1937 during the Nazi era. In full: "I hope you will forgive my long delay in answering your letter. I have carried it with me ever since we left England, planning to write an answer at almost every stop we have made along our route. However, it seems extremely difficult to take ones mind from the problems of a flying trip long enough to write letters. It was most considerate of you to take time to inquire about my friend. I had no intention of asking you to do this, and I know that your time is already too much taken up with the many requests for personal favors which you must receive each day.

I am greatly interested in your mention of the dangerous plans which lie ahead for Europe, and of your hope that something may be done in the direction of peace. Another major war may easily cause an indefinite period of chaos in Europe. It is difficult to estimate the destruction which would result, and, of course, it will not be confined to the fighting armies. The problem is to know what moves are actually in the direction of peace. I believe that many peace movements have, over a period of time, a negative effect, and that they often work to the advantage of those who wish war. I believe that peace can exist only so long as the influence a nation can exert by peaceful means is approximately equal to the influence which can be exerted by resorting to war. I think that any peace movement which overlooks this factor is doomed to eventual failure. It is not sufficient for people to desire peace. It is necessary to be able to enforce peace, and to do away with advantages which may be obtained by war.

We will soon start our return flight to England, and I hope we may have the pleasure of seeing you sometime during the summer. I hope to have the opportunity of visiting some of the German experimental laboratories, which I did not see last summer, and I shall look forward to the possibility of meeting you at that time if some other circumstance does not bring it about sooner."

The present letter was written during the Lindberghs' visit to India amid a time of great tension between native India and the British colonial rule. Anne would write in a letter to her mother, "It is something about the weight of India that is oppressive." Years later, Charles would describe their experiences in India, "I could hardly believe this country once produced a civilization of art and architecture and religion...as an American, I understood the Indian wish for freedom. What people would be content with a government imposed by force, rooted in a foreign nation five thousand miles away?"

Following the execution of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, the man who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering Lindbergh's son, the aviator and his wife took refuge in Europe to escape the publicity which they found so distasteful. After 1936, the year he visited German centers of aviation, Lindbergh repeatedly warned against the growing air power of Nazi Germany, having been persuaded into believing the grossly exaggerated power of the Luftwaffe. During his visit, the German government said that they would show him everything he asked to see. Since he did not ask to see concentration camps, political prisoners, or other opponents of the regime, he wasn't shown them, and his view of the Reich was naively favorable. These views led to his decoration by the German government in 1938, which in turn led to considerable criticism, as did his speeches advocating American neutrality in World War II upon his return to the U.S. Criticism of his public statements by President Franklin D. Roosevelt finally led Lindbergh to resign his Air Corps Reserve commission in April 1941.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9.5" x 12.25"
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