Clarence Streit was a journalist and
advocate for world peace through the Federal Union. The Streit Papers include
correspondence between Streit and a number of the country's most influential
figures in the fight for federal union of democratic nations, including:
Theodore C. Achilles, former Director of Western European Affairs, William
Clayton, whose efforts resulted in the Marshall Plan of 1947, former Supreme
Court Justice Owen Roberts and former Congressmen Paul Findley and Estes
Kefauver.
Repository:
Maureen and Mike Mansfield
Library Archives and Special Collections
Funding for encoding this finding
aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
Biographical Note
Clarence K. Streit was born in California, MO, in 1896. At the age of
15 he moved to Missoula, Montana, where he founded the
Konah, a high school paper that is now one of the oldest
in continuous publication. Streit worked in the summers surveying in Alaska and
the Rocky Mountains to finance his education at Montana State University, (now
the University of Montana), where he edited the college newspaper, the
Kaimin, and served on the debate team.
Streit left Missoula in 1917 and volunteered in the 18 th Railway
Engineers for war service. One of the first 50,000 American soldiers to land in
Europe, he reached France in August of 1917. In 1918 he joined the Intelligence
Service where for a time he served as one of the guards of President Wilson.
After his time in the service, Streit returned to Missoula where he won a
Rhodes Scholarship which enabled him to study history at Oxford. Once in
England, Streit met Jeanne Defrance of Paris, and they married in 1921.
In 1925 he joined the
New York Times as a foreign correspondent and in 1929 went
to Geneva as a correspondent for the League of Nations, a post he held for
nearly ten years. During his time as a journalist, Streit covered such
prominent issues as the Sino-Japanese war, the depression and the rise of Nazi
dictatorship. His interest in such international issues led Streit to resign
his position at the Times in 1939 and publish his first book,
Union Now, an appeal for a federal union of the
democracies.
After the success of
Union Now, which admirers hailed as democracy's answer to
Adolf Hitler's
Mein Kampf, Clarence and Jeanne Streit continued to commit
their lives to the cause of union. In 1940, the couple founded Federal Union,
Inc., an educational organization committed to universal world government.
Chapters opened in towns all over the nation, including the formation of a
Missoula chapter in 1940. Streit served as president of Federal Union as well
as editor of
Freedom and Union, the organization's magazine. Streit was
one of the founding members of the Atlantic Union Committee that merged with
other organizations in 1962 to form the Atlantic Council. His works on behalf
of world peace earned Streit a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Clarence Streit died in 1986.
Content Description
The Streit Papers include correspondence between Streit and a number
of the country's most influential figures in the fight for federal union of
democratic nations, including: Theodore C. Achilles, former Director of Western
European Affairs, William Clayton, whose efforts resulted in the Marshall Plan
of 1947, former Supreme Court Justice Owen Roberts and former Congressmen Paul
Findley and Estes Kefauver. Other prominent figures include President F. D.
Roosevelt, President Nixon, and former Senator Mike Mansfield. The collection
includes documentation concerning Streit's personal involvement in
organization's such as Federal Union, the Atlantic Union Committee and the
International Movement for Atlantic Union. Records from these organizations, as
well as his personal speeches and writings, make up the bulk of Streit's
collection. Also included is the record of proceedings from the 1951 Conference
of Strasbourg, a special meeting between European parliamentarians and US
members of Congress, which Federal Union and the Atlantic Union Committee
helped organize with the goal of creating a North Atlantic Assembly.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of
Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The
University of Montana--Missoula.
Restrictions on Use :
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and
any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of
Montana.
Preferred Citation :
[Name of document or photograph number], Clarence Streit Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureeen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of
Montana--Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The collection is divided into twelve series:
Series I: Personal Documents, 5.0 linear feet, 1913-1983
Series II: Atlantic Union Committee, 0.3 linear feet, 1949-1968
Series III: Federal Union, Inc., 1.5 lienar feet, 1939-1982
Series IV: Association to Unite the Democracies, 1 folder, 1984
Series V: Freedom and Union, 0.5 linear feet, 1946-1971
Series VI: International Movement for Atlantic Union, 0.4 linear feet,
1959-1984
Series VII: NATO Information Service, 1 folder, 1962
Series VIII: Streit Book Promotion, 1 folder, undated
Series IX: Student Federalists, 0.3 lienar feet, 1944-1974
Series X: Union Now, 1 folder, undated
Series XI: Related Topics, 1.5 linear feet, 1939-1980
Series XII: Photographs, 7 items, 1983
Location of Originals :
Many of the documents in this collection are copies of those held in the
Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Custodial History :
The materials in this collection were housed by several different
entities before donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.
Acquisition Information :
Gift of Mrs. Clarence Streit, the Library of Congress Manuscripts
Division, and the Federal Union, 1989, 1992, and 1994
Processing Note :
The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 1999 this
collection was reprocessed by applying series designations onto the existing
organization and re-describing materials for more comprehensive
identification.
Separated Materials :
During the 1999 reprocessing seven photographs were physically
separated from the collection and are currently stored in the UM photo
collection: 1999-3550 through 1999-3556. These photographs remain
intellectually integrated with this collection and each item is described in
Series XII.
Related Materials :
The main portion of Streit's papers, totaling 90 linear feet, is held
by the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series I: Personal Documents , 1913-1983
5.0 linear feet
This series outlines the life of Clarence Streit and his
individual contribution to the cause of federal union. His personal and
business correspondence is included, containing many letters between Streit and
William Clayton, Owen Roberts, Paul Findley and Estes Kefauver. Streit's
writing and speeches make up the bulk of the series, including high school news
articles, major features for the
New York Times and a variety of college commencement
speeches and statements before Congress.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
1/1
Biographical Information
, undated
1/2
General Correspondence
, 1921-1929
1/3
General Correspondence
, 1931-1939
1/4
General Correspondence
, 1940-1942
1/5
General Correspondence
, 1943-1946
1/6
General Correspondence
, 1947-1949
1/7
General Correspondence
, 1950
1/8
General Correspondence
, 1951-1952
1/9
General Correspondence
, 1953
1/10
General Correspondence
, 1954
1/11
General Correspondence
, 1955
1/12
General Correspondence
, 1956
1/13
General Correspondence
, 1957
1/14
General Correspondence
, 1958
1/15
General Correspondence
, 1959
1/16
General Correspondence
, 1960
1/17
General Correspondence
, 1961
1/18
General Correspondence
, 1962
2/1
General Correspondence
, 1963
2/2
General Correspondence
, 1964
2/3
General Correspondence
, 1965
2/4
General Correspondence
, 1966
2/5
General Correspondence
, 1967
2/6
General Correspondence
, 1968
2/7
General Correspondence
, 1969
2/8
General Correspondence
, 1970-1971
2/9
General Correspondence
, 1972
2/10
General Correspondence
, 1973
2/11
General Correspondence
, 1974-1975
2/12
General Correspondence
, 1976-1977
2/13
General Correspondence
, 1978-1979
3/1
General Correspondence
, 1980-1985
3/2
General Correspondence
, undated
3/3
General Correspondence
, undated
3/4
Memorandums , 1930-1939
3/5
Memorandums , 1940-1949
3/6
Memorandums , 1950-1959
3/7
Memorandums , 1960-1969
3/8
Memorandums , 1970-1979
3/9
Memorandums , 1980-1983
3/10
Memorandums , undated
3/11
Writings, Partial List of
Articles by Streit , undated
3/12
Writings,
Athenian Echo, 1910
3/13
Writings, Rhymes , February 1913
3/14
Writings, Untitled , 1915
3/15
Writings, Some Forecasts
, 1917-1938
3/16
Writings, How a Missoula Student
Turned Battlefields of France as a Guest of US , 1919
3/17
Writings, May Day in Paris
, Aug.
1919
3/18
Writings, L'Armistice Est Signé
, 1919
3/19
Writings, Untitled , 1999
3/20
Writings, Armistice Reflections
, 1920
3/21
Writings, Untitled Articles
, 1921
3/22
Writings, Armenian's Pistol Upset
British Plans for Turkey , 1921
3/23
Writings, Pope Crowed
, 1922
3/24
Writings, Belgians Not Grateful
for French Backing? , 1922
3/25
Writings, Russians Agree to New
Parley , 1922
3/26
Writings, Untitled , 1922
3/27
Writings, Kings Fate Hinges Upon
Success of Fascisti in Italy , 1922
3/28
Writings, Mussolini Enters
Italian Capital as Conquering Hero , 1922
3/29
Writings, Benito Mussolini,
Roosevelt of Italy , 1922
Documents are included from the Atlantic Union Committee, founded
in 1949 with the purpose of petitioning Congress to hold a federal convention.
Flyers, resolutions, newsletters and buttons are included in this series.
This series contains correspondence from members and officers of
Federal Union as well as press releases, newsletters, and financial information
about the organization. Minutes, reports and resolutions are also included.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
9/10
General Correspondence
, 1940-1950
9/11
General Correspondence
, 1950-1956
9/12
General Correspondence
, 1957-1962
9/13
General Correspondence
, 1963-1965
9/14
General Correspondence
, 1966-1979
9/15
General Correspondence
, 1980
and undated
9/16
Writing, Union Now's Long
Campaign , ca.
1943
9/17
Writing, Press Release
, 1963
9/18
Writing, Atlantic Union Urged on
175 th US Anniversary , 1964
9/19
Writing, Atlantic Union Urged on
175 th US Anniversary , 1964
9/20
Writing, Federal Union's 1966
Convocation , 1966
9/21
Writing, Press Release
, 1966
9/22
Writing, We Start Decisive 1968
with Big Breakthrough , 1968
9/23
Writing, Press Release
, 1968
9/24
Writing, Press Release
, 1968
9/25
Writing, Untitled , May
1969
9/26
Writing, Federal Union Election
Notice and Ballot , 1970
9/27
Writing, Fact Sheet on Federal
Union , 1970
9/28
Writing, Fact Sheet on Federal
Union , 1970
9/29
Writing, Press Release
, 1970
9/30
Writing, Press Release
, 1970
9/31
Writing, 26 Administrative and
Congressional Leaders , 1974
Information about
Freedom and Union, the magazine that Streit founded
and edited, is included in this series. The collection contains a number of
articles published in the magazine, as well as information about subscribers
and supporters of the publication.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
12/15
General Correspondence
, 1946-1956
12/16
General Correspondence
, 1957-1963
12/17
General Correspondence
, 1967-1968
12/18
General Correspondence
, undated
12/19
Writings, Untitled , 1956
12/20
Writings, Press Release
, 1966
12/21
Writings, Danger of Another
Monetary Crash , 1967
12/22
Writings, Russia Gambling on
Mideast "Brink-Blank" , 1970
Series VI: International Movement for Atlantic
Union , 1959-1984
0.4 linear feet
Streit co-founded this organization and served as its president.
This series includes a good deal of correspondence between members and
officials of the organizations and a variety of newsletters.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
13/1
General Correspondence
, 1959-1965
13/2
General Correspondence
, 1966-1978
13/3
General Correspondence
, 1984
and undated
13/4
Writings, Two NATO Wisemen
, 1960
13/5
Writings, Press Release
, 1960
13/6
Writings, Teller Holds Atlantic
Union "Even More Important than Vietnam" , 1966
13/7
Writings, Under Secretary of
State Eugene Rustow on Atlantica , 1966
This series includes correspondence between Streit and Harris
Wofford, president of the Student Federalists. The series also includes
resolutions from chapters, special events held by the Student Federalists and
reports.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
13/29
General Correspondence
, 1946-1974
13/30
Harris Wofford and the Student
Federalists , undated
This series contains documents on other events and figures in the
union movement. Included are various articles on the prospect of union from a
range of journalists as well as writings and speeches from figures such as
congressman Paul Findley, Owen Roberts and William Clayton. Also included is a
copy of House Joint Resolution 606, senatorial comments concerning the
resolution and the record of proceedings from the Conference of Strasbourg.
Container(s)
Description
Box/Folder
14/1
General Correspondence
, 1944-1956
14/2
General Correspondence
, 1957-1965
14/3
General Correspondence
, 1966-1979
14/4
General Correspondence
, 1980
and undated
14/5
Writings, The Danger in the Plan
of Clarence Streit, by Rosika Schwimmer , 1939
14/6
Writings, The Wars and the Peace,
by Ralph Lesen , 1940
14/7
Writings, Hobart College Bulletin
, June
1941
14/8
Writings, Talk with Ambassador
Lituinoff , 1942
14/9
Writings, We Need Leadership Now,
by Owen Roberts , 1948
14/10
Writings, Printed Letters to
Streit , 1956
14/11
Writings, Eisenhower Letter on
Atlantic Exploratory Committee , 1956
14/12
Writings, French title
, 1956
14/13
Writings, Avon Urges Atlantic
Federation , 1963
14/14
Writings, Senator Carlson Urges
Atlantic Federal Union , 1965
14/15
Writings, Transcription
, 1967
14/16
Writings, Draft Statement for
Reagan , 1968
14/17
Writings, Senatorial Comments
, 1969
14/18
Writings, How Much Time Do We
Have Left? , 1970
14/19
Writings, Text for Accepting the
Atlantic Pioneer Award, by Robert Finch , 1970
14/20
Writings, News from Congressman
Paul Findley , 1972
14/21
Writings, Senatorial Comments
, 1972
14/22
Writings, House Joint Resolution
606 , 1975
14/23
Writings, A Joint Resolution to
Call an Atlantic Convention , 1979
14/24
Writings, A Look at the Coming
Union, Robert Powell , undated
14/25
Writings, Political Community in
the North Atlantic Area - Appendix A , undated
14/26
Writings, General , undated
14/27
Writings, General , undated
15/1
Statement of J. Parker Van Zanht
, 1950
15/2
Statements of Senators on
Atlantic Union , March 1950
15/3
Testimony of Honorable Owen J.
Roberts on Atlantic Union Resolution , 1950
15/4
Testimony of Honorable William
Clayton on Atlantic Union Resolution , 1950
15/5
Statement of Assistant Secretary
of State John D. Hickerson on Senate Resolution 133 , 1950
15/6
Eagleton Statement to
Sub-Committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , 1950
15/7
Statement by William L. Clayton
, 1964
15/8
Insert by Paul Findley to the
Congressional Record , 1979
15/9
Speech, A New Direction in
American Foreign Policy, Honorable Alexander M. Hay, Jr. , 1981
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Personal Names :
Achilles,
Theodore C (Theodore Carter), 1905--Correspondence
Clayton,
Will, 1880-1966--Correspondence
Findley,
Paul, 1921---Correspondence
Kefauver,
Estes, 1903-1963--Correspondence
Kefauver,
Estes, 1903-1963--Correspondence
Nixon,
Richard M (Richard Milhous), 1913---Correspondence
