Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm87065621
Collection material in English, French and Russian
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Part I of the papers of Clarence K. Streit, author, editor, and journalist, was given to the Library of Congress by his wife, Jeanne Defrance Streit, in 1987-1988. Part II of the papers was given by Jeanne Streit in several gifts from 1992 to 1994 and by Ira Straus, director of the Association to Unite the Democracies, in 1991. Part III of the papers was given by Jeanne Streit in several gifts from 1994 to 2001; by Streit's daughter, Jeannette S. Rohatyn, in two gifts in 2003; and by Tiziana Stella, director of the Streit Council, in 2008.
Part I of the Clarence K. Streit Papers was arranged and described in 1989 by Connie L. Cartledge. Additional material received from 1991 to 1994 was processed in 1994 by Connie L. Cartledge with the assistance of Sherralyn McCoy. Material received from 1994 to 2008 was processed in 2019 by Rachel Telford. The finding aid was updated in 2024 by Maria Farmer as part of a division-wide remediation project by the Inclusive Description Working Group.
The Clarence K. Streit Papers are described in
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. Sound recordings have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division. Some photographs have been transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Clarence K. Streit Papers.
A related collection in the Manuscript Division includes the records of the Atlantic Union Committee.
An archive of the official web site of the Streit Council for a Union of Democracies beginning June 1, 2006 is available at http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/*/http://www.streitcouncil.org/.
Copyright in the unpublished writings of Clarence K. Streit in these papers and in other collections of papers in the custody of the Library of Congress has been dedicated to the public.
The papers of Clarence K. Streit are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
A microfilm edition of part of these papers is available on nine reels. Consult reference staff in the Manuscript Division concerning availability for purchase; the microfilm is not available for interlibrary loan.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Roman numeral designating the Part followed by a colon and container or reel number, Clarence K. Streit Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The papers of Clarence Kirshman Streit (1896-1986) span the years 1838 to 2000 with the bulk from 1939 to 1994. Although the collection is divided into three parts, some topics and time periods are common to all parts. The collection mainly reflects Streit's advocacy of a plan for an Atlantic Union of democracies, chiefly through the organization, Federal Union, Inc., later renamed Association to Unite the Democracies, Inc.
Part I of the papers spans the years 1910 to 1987, with the bulk concentrated from 1939 to 1977. The majority of the items pertain to the educational organization, Federal Union, Inc., which Streit established in 1939 to promote his plan for an Atlantic union of democracies. The papers in Part I consist of seven series: Notebooks and Notes; Correspondence; Newspaper Correspondent Files; Federal Union, Inc.; International Movement for Atlantic Union, Inc.; Speeches, Statements, and Writings; and Scrapbooks.
The Notebooks and Notes series, 1917-1984, documents a wide range of Streit's accomplishments. The two earliest items record Streit's army service while with the Eighteenth Engineers in France, 1917-1918. Later papers relate to his personal interests and his activities to promote the Atlantic union movement. Topics include article ideas and material, scheduling information, vacation trips, fund-raising, the Atlantic Convention Resolution, and trips related to the federal union movement.
The Correspondence series, 1917-1987, consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence reflecting Streit's advocacy of an Atlantic union of free nations. This series is divided into two subseries, Alphabetical Correspondence and Chronological Correspondence. Much of the Alphabetical Correspondence, 1918-1982, consists of correspondence between Streit and national government leaders. Additional correspondence of this type also appears in the Federal Union and International Movement for Atlantic Union series. The Chronological Correspondence, 1917-1987, includes correspondence with friends, acquaintances, the public, and national and international leaders.
Papers in the Newspaper Correspondent Files, 1919-1939, pertain to Streit's career as a foreign correspondent for the Philadelphia
The Federal Union, Inc., series, 1917-1987, constitutes more
than three-fourths of these papers. This series is divided into three subseries: General Files, Subject Files, and
The
Papers in the International Movement for Atlantic Union, Inc., series, 1946-1983, pertain chiefly to Streit's unsuccessful efforts to get an Atlantic Union Resolution passed in the United States Congress. The nonprofit IMAU sought the support of leaders and key individuals in the Atlantic community to promote the organization's goal of federating the North Atlantic democracies. Correspondence is primarily between Streit and IMAU members.
The Speeches, Statements, and Writings, 1910-1983, contains early examples of Streit's writings while a student. The majority of the papers, however, consist of articles, speeches, statements, and books relating to his Atlantic Union work.
The Scrapbooks, 1910-1959, chiefly contain, articles, clippings, and printed matter chronicling Streit's speeches and writings as a student, journalist, and advocate of the Atlantic Union movement.
The most prominent and frequent of Streit's correspondents are Theodore C. Achilles, Justin Blackwelder, Patricia Botond, Percival Flack Brundage, Arthur F. Burns, Winston Churchill, Will Clayton, Michel Debré, Donald P. Dennis, John Foster Dulles, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Paul Findley, Lyndon B. Johnson, Estes Kefauver, John F. Kennedy, George C. Marshall, Walden Moore, Richard M. Nixon, Owen J. Roberts, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Elmo Roper, Maurice Schumann, Adlai E. Stevenson, Harry S. Truman, Miller Upton, and Harold Clayton Urey.
Part II of the collection spans the years 1838-1990, with the majority of the papers concentrated in the period 1939-1986. The papers supplement files in Part I and pertain principally to Streit's advocacy of a federation of democratic Atlantic nations united in opposition to totalitarianism. The papers in Part II are organized largely according to the arrangement of Part I and include ten series: Family Papers; Diaries; Notebooks; Correspondence; Newspaper Correspondent Files; Federal Union, Inc.; International Movement for Atlantic Union, Inc.; John A. Mathews Files; Speeches, Statements, and Writings; and Miscellany.
The Family Papers series, 1896-1986, consists mainly of correspondence between Streit and his family while Streit was a transitman for the United States Public Lands Surveys in Alaska in 1916, his service with the Eighteenth Engineers in France, 1917-1918, and as a foreign correspondent, 1920-1939. Many of Streit's military letters describe his service as a security guard assigned to the American Commission to Negotiate the Peace in France after World War I. Other noteworthy items include the memoirs of Streit's father, Louis L. Streit, and excerpts from the diaries of Streit's mother, Emma Kirshman Streit.
The Diaries, 1916-1984, and Notebooks, 1914-1986, chronicle Streit's diverse life. The early diaries and notebooks document his activities as a surveyor, soldier, and reporter. Later volumes relate to his efforts as an advocate for the Atlantic union movement. The travel diaries are incomplete, as Streit seemed to have difficulty sustaining them. The appointment diaries and notebooks, however, also record many of his activities, meetings, speaking engagements, and trips.
Papers in the Correspondence series, 1917-1988, consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence concerning Streit's work to promote an Atlantic union of democracies. The majority of the correspondence is between Streit and world leaders and complements the correspondence series in Part I of the papers.
The Newspaper Correspondent Files, 1919-1936, supplement similar papers that appear in the original installment. This series documents Streit's years as a foreign correspondent for the Philadelphia
Comprising almost one third of this addition, the Federal Union, Inc., files, 1838-1990,
consists of two subseries: Subject Files and
The International Movement for Atlantic Union, Inc., files, 1961-1984, contain a few papers that were not received with the original installment. The bulk of this series is comprised of incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Included in Part II of the collection are the papers of John A. Mathews, an associate of Streit who was actively involved in the Atlantic Union movement. The John A. Mathews series, 1943-1986, primarily documents Mathews involvement with the Organizing Committee for an Association to Promote Public Support for a Federation of Democratic Nations and the International Association for Federal Union.
Papers among the Speeches, Statements, and Writings, 1910-1987, consist mainly of Streit's early writings as a student and later his many writings about the Atlantic union cause. An especially noteworthy item is a partial draft of Streit's autobiography entitled, "Biography of an Idea." Other writings include letters to the editor, pamphlets, short stories, poetry, songs, and lyrics.
The final series, Miscellany, 1906-1987, includes items documenting Streit's early life as a transitman for the United States Public Lands Surveys, a soldier in World War I, and as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford University. This series also reflects Streit's avid interest in his alma mater, the University of Montana. His love of the natural landscape of Montana is documented in the Grizzly Riders International files. Streit participated in some of the Grizzly Riders yearly camping trips in Montana.
The most prominent or frequent of Streit's correspondents in Part II are Will Clayton, Charles de Gaulle, Michel Debré, John Foster Dulles, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Paul Findley, Christian Archibald Herter, Estes Kefauver, Henry Kissinger, Walden Moore, Richard M. Nixon, Owen J. Roberts, and Elmo Roper.
Part III of the collection spans the years 1898 to 2000, with the majority of the papers concentrated in the period 1939 to 1994. The papers supplement files in Parts I and II and pertain principally to Streit's advocacy of a federation of democratic Atlantic nations united in opposition to totalitarianism. Part III covers the activities of Federal Union, Inc., and Association to Unite the Democracies, Inc., in the years during and following Streit's tenure as president. The majority of the records of the Association to United the Democracies, Inc., document the organization's operations following Streit's death. The papers in Part III are organized largely according to the arrangement of Parts I and II and include eight series: Personal Papers; Correspondence; Speeches, Statements, and Writings; Subject File; Printed Matter; Federal Union, Inc.; Association to Unite the Democracies, Inc., and Oversize.
The Personal Papers series, 1898-1984, consists of materials documenting Streit's personal activities as a surveyor in Alaska, a soldier in World War I, a student and Rhodes Scholar, and the founder and spokesman for the Atlantic union movement. Also included is biographical information compiled to document Streit's life and career.
The Correspondence series, 1912-1998, consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence reflecting Streit's advocacy of an Atlantic union of free nations, as well as correspondence pertaining to personal matters and interests, such as his family and poetry. The majority of the series is arranged chronologically and consists of correspondence with family, friends, acquaintances, and the general public. Also included are attachments such as clippings, pamphlets, and photographs pertaining to Streit's personal and professional interests.
The Speeches, Statements, and Writings series, 1910-1989,
includes examples of Streit's writings while a student and early in his career as a
journalist, poetry, short stories, and speeches and statements relating to his role as
spokesman for the Atlantic union movement. Also included is correspondence relating to
his book,
The Subject File series, 1917-1982, contains correspondence and research files relating to Streit's work as an advocate for the Atlantic union movement and includes documentation relating to various attempts to nominate Streit for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Printed Matter series, 1910-1996, contains articles by Streit and others on a variety of topics relating to peace, democracy, and international cooperation. Also included are several books on topics of history and political science, each of which Streit heavily annotated.
The Federal Union, Inc. series, 1938-1990, is arranged in three subseries: Financial, Speakers File, and Subject File. The Financial subseries includes monthly and annual financial statements, budgets, investment and loan records, and material relating to the organization's tax-exempt status. The Speakers File subseries includes geographic files, records of speaking engagements, speakers' biographies, and sample speeches. The largest of the three subseries, the Subject File, includes correspondence, promotional material, clippings, and material relating to a variety of organizations and events promoting union of democratic nations, including youth groups. Also included are the Federal Union's internal records relating to promotion, fundraising, planning and research, organizational projects, and board meetings.
The Association to Unite the Democracies, Inc. series, 1966-2000, includes operational files such as records of the board of directors' meetings and activities, correspondence and memoranda between board members, and financial records. Also included are correspondence, promotional material, clippings, research files, and material relating to various organizations and events promoting union of democratic nations. The correspondence files contain primarily outgoing correspondence from Executive Director Ira Straus and other association staff and include correspondence with foreign and domestic government officials, related organizations, association members and prospective members, material relating to conferences and events, and letters to various newspapers and other publications.
The Oversize series, 1913-1915, consists of scrapbook pages containing clippings about Streit and his high school newspaper, photographs, school schedule, and University of Montana registration and fees documents.
The collection is arranged in three parts composed of twenty-five series:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Notebooks, notes, and attachments documenting Streit's personal recollections and activities as an advocate for the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged chronologically.
Chiefly correspondence between Streit and congressmen, senators, presidents, and other national leaders.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person or category of correspondence.
Correspondence with friends, acquaintances, and the general public, including attachments such as clippings, pamphlets, and photographs pertaining to Streit's personal and public interests.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, memoranda, financial items, articles, dispatches, notes, reports, speeches and lectures, clippings, and printed material concerning Streit's career as a foreign correspondent for the Philadelphia
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, topic, or type of material, although general correspondence is filed first.
Chiefly correspondence and memoranda between Streit and friends, acquaintances, Federal Union members, and national and international leaders, including attachments such as clippings, speeches, photographs, and printed matter relating to Streit's activities as leader for the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Correspondence, memoranda, financial and legal items, interviews, reports, speeches, notes, lists, pamphlets, programs, circulars, press releases, newsletters, bulletins, minutes of meetings, ballots, photographs, clippings, and printed matter documenting Streit's tenure as president of Federal Union.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, topic, or type of material.
Correspondence, memoranda, articles, columns, press releases, notes, lists, circulars, leaflets, dummies and page proofs, speeches, and printed material pertaining to Streit's activities as editor.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, subject, or type of material, although general and foreign correspondence precede other files.
Correspondence, memoranda, financial and legal material, reports, ballots, lists, pamphlets, newsletters, congressional bills and resolutions, press releases, minutes of meetings, invitations, programs, and printed matter relating to Streit's activities as president of the organization.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, subject, or type of material, although general and foreign correspondence precede other files.
Correspondence, memoranda, articles, manuscripts of books, book reviews, itineraries and scheduling material, speeches, poetry, notes, clippings, pamphlets, and printed matter.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronological.
Articles, dispatches, newspaper clippings, bulletins, programs, and printed matter pertaining to Streit's writings as a student, his career as a journalist, and his speeches and writings advocating the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged chronologically.
Available on microfilm. Shelf no. 20,373. Except for original manuscript material, the scrapbooks were destroyed after being microfilmed.
Correspondence between Streit and family members, including attachments and other papers such as calendars, memoirs, a diary, copies of photographs, genealogical material, and miscellaneous items.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material or name of family member and therein chronologically.
Appointment and travel diaries documenting Streit's personal activities as a surveyor in Alaska, a soldier in World War I, a journalist, and as a founder and spokesman for the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically.
Notes chronicling Streit's personal activities and reflections as a reporter and advocate for the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence with friends, colleagues, national and world leaders, and the public pertaining to Streit's interests.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, memoranda, articles, dispatches, notes, financial items, printed matter, and other material relating to Streit's career as a correspondent for the Philadelphia
Arranged alphabetically by topic, name of person, organization, name, or type of material.
Correspondence, memoranda, financial and legal papers, reports, minutes of meetings, speeches and statements, notes, pamphlets, press releases, newsletters, and printed matter documenting Streit's activities as president of Federal Union.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization, topic, or type of material.
Correspondence, memoranda, articles, columns, book reviews, press releases, notes, and printed matter pertaining to Streit's tenure as editor.
Arranged alphabetically by organization, topic, or type of material.
Correspondence, financial papers, and other material documenting Streit's activities with the organization.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material or topic.
Correspondence, memoranda, financial and legal items, reports, minutes of meetings, press releases, newsletters, and printed matter relating to Mathews's involvement with the International Association for Federal Union, the Organizing Committee for an Association to Promote Public Support for a Federation of Democratic Nations, and other organizations.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or organization.
Correspondence, articles, drafts of books, speeches, poetry, lyrics and songs, short stories, pamphlets, and printed matter.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Correspondence, address books and cards, passports, notebooks, printed matter, and other papers.
Arranged alphabetically by organization, topic, or type of material and therein chronologically.
Biographical information compiled to document Streit's life and career and other materials documenting Streit's personal activities as a surveyor in Alaska, a soldier in World War I, a student and Rhodes scholar, and founder and spokesman for the Atlantic union movement.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Correspondence between Streit and Siegfried Charoux, Jack Johnson, Jean DeFrance Streit, and Lily Wuerz.
Arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent and therein chronologically.
Correspondence with family, friends, acquaintances, and the general public, including attachments such as clippings, pamphlets, and photographs pertaining to Streit's personal and professional interests.
Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, articles, drafts of books, speeches, poetry, short stories, and notes.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Correspondence, memoranda, printed matter, and clippings relating to Streit's personal and professional interest in peace and a federal union of democracies.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Books annotated by Streit and articles relating to Streit's personal and professional interest in peace and a federal union of democracies.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Financial statements and records of budgets, fundraising, loans, investments, taxes, and other financial matters.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Geographic file of speakers in the United States and Canada, sample speeches, and administrative records relating to lectures and speeches.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Correspondence, clippings, memoranda, administrative files, and printed matter relating to the activities of Federal Union, Inc., and Streit's tenure as president.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, topic or type of material.
Correspondence, memoranda, administrative files, and printed matter relating to the activities of the Association to Unite the Democracies, Inc.
Arranged alphabetically by topic or type of material and therein chronologically.
Scrapbook pages containing clippings about Streit and his high school newspaper, photographs, school schedule and University of Montana registration and fees documents.
Arranged and described according to the series, container, and folder from which the items were separated.