Cremer knew poverty and intolerance well,
From England, before their voting rights story.
From ‘boiling pitch’ (at 12) to trade rights work his efforts swelled,
While constantly he engaged others to freely
Work for peace, support the North’s Civil War,
And voting rights for men, and arbitration.
The International Arbitration League he bore:
He did what others talked of. He wrote treaties, then
Pursued them to all lengths to get them ratified.
While women suffragettes complained of him,
His England – U.S. treaty efforts died.
Yet France and England’s joint efforts were born.
From pauper to a torch-bearer of Peace’s promises
To arbitrate an end to war, he saw his vision’s genesis.
June Edvenson 