Everyone knew him, his travels and accomplishments.
He pressed this to exceptional uses. To Denmark he went
To seek a King for Norway, finally free. In Britain, he chose
To speak to the Royal Geographic Society. He opposed
War with Sweden, and in World War I was sent
To negotiate food for Norway, a neutral, cut off by war’s ‘tent.’
His travels continued – to head the exchange of prisoners
Of war, still un-repatriated – for years, trapped and poor,
Held in Russia, Siberia, Germany, Austria and Hungary.
With an office in Berlin, he secured each their freedom to see
Their families and countries again. And their needs then –
Were food, clothes and medicine: with Lenin and Britain, he secured them.
His ‘Nansen passport’ allowed ‘stateless’ refugees to cross borders freely.
And he became the League’s first High Commissioner for Refugees.
June Edvenson 