241 Beacon W. Boston. Jan. 17th 1900.  Mrs. Viola Price Franklin. University ? etc.  My dear Madam,  I have communicated with Mrs. ?  D. Cheney of Boston regarding the matter of your letter dated Dec. 1st,    99, which however did not make me until nine days after that time. Mrs. C. and I agree in thinking that the con 
        condition of our new ? is still too much disturbed by political  amp; military action to offer any opening for the work of Women in the directions which you suggest. When matters shall be more settled, especially in the Philippines, I have no doubt of the value of such aid as the Women   s Club may be able to provide. The Women sent should however be very carefully selected, as great tact will be found 
        necessary in dealing with our own and other officials. Mrs. ?  amp; Miss Adams would be course be very valuable. I do not know how well qualified Mrs. Lathrop would be for such an undertaking. I say this, no intending to prejudge the matter, for I simply do not know. I should regret any precipitate action on the part of the Woman   s Club. The island of Costa Rica is, I suppose, in a quieter condition than Cuba or Manila. This question might very properly come up in this year   s Biennial. I hope that this will be the case.  Yours sincerely,  Julia Ward Howe