Beernaert, Belgium’s PM, captured the Prize
For peace work with the Interparliamentary Union.
Its leader made “the Nobel speech,” a wise
Move since Beernaert’s own ‘record’ raised many an ‘eye:’
He worked for King Leopold, Congo’s clandestine tyrant,
Famous for brutally enslaving its people ‘for trade,’
(Which was to be “free” but was not), and continued with comment
Until he gave up, left his post, his fame made . . .
Not before he’d sent spies to stifle Belgium’s Socialism,
Resulting in innocents dragged into court, deaths, and wisdom?
He labored hard on the limits to land-based war
At the Hague, where his peace work and comments meant more.
He sought air warfare be made illegal, to be fair.
His proposal was heard at Geneva – while he was dying there.
June Edvenson 