Cremer had seen sufficient war losses,
Franco-Prussian, Crimean, the Boer War –
South Africa, arguing always that the cost was
Too great, the excitement and horror all too poor
Compensation. To Parliament he spoke then:
“The verdict of history is always with the friends
Of peace,” and “There is not a man
In this House who will now declare
That the Crimean War was a just one.”
First seen as “theorists and mere utopians,”
His efforts contributed greatly to the Hague Convention
Deciding to create a Court of International Arbitration.
“Millions have been sacrificed to the demon of war.” A potion,
“Their blood has saturated every plain and . . . ocean.”
June Edvenson 