Category Archives: sonnets

Bajer, a Dane, received the prize – finally, For his tireless efforts for Scandinavian unity: The ‘Scando’ ‘empire’ approach did not work, said he, And supported Arnoldson’s enthusiasm for “neutrality.” A soldier who watched Denmark’s hapless war-time fate, He left that to found the Nordic Society of Free States. He argued that Nordic monarchies shouldContinue reading “1908 – Fredrik Bajer”

Arnoldson’s work for Peace in Sweden and Norway Encouraged “neutrality.” He was mocked and scorned. “I desire peace on earth,” he once wrote. Radical, “I want all armed forces to be abolished.” And, “I want a joint police force to be created . . . That force to be subject to an International Supreme Court.”Continue reading “1908 – Klas Pontus Arnoldson”

Reserved Renault also won the Prize that year, A Frenchman. Diplomacy grew from his belief That Peace via international law had no peer: He brought this law to the peace conventions, his ‘brief.’ A bookseller’s son, he became truly erudite, A professor and French state consultant.  His particular insight Brought agreement from unlikely state andContinue reading “1907 – Louis Renault”

Ernesto Teodoro Moneta won the Prize For his decades of work in Italy, now unified. There, he fought, as most did, to pry Austrian control from their land. And when done, as a writer and editor, took a stand, Suggesting that Italy do what was needed to forgive The French, an arbitration treaty. Persuasive, HeContinue reading “1907 – Ernesto Teodoro Moneta”

Ted Roosevelt’s accomplishments were vast: He fought police corruption in New York; Enlisted Hague arbitration in order to die-cast A peace with Mexico; next, drove a fork In Spain’s Philippines access and its rights; And mediated peace between Russia and Japan. But his tactics were often force, and always might. He helped rebels create Panama,Continue reading “1906 – Roosevelt – 2”

Theodore Roosevelt next won the Prize, Though many found this near a crime. The first ‘statesman’ to win, he was, in many’s eyes, “The most warlike citizen.” (-New York Times) Born asthmatic, a weakling in New York, He was tutored and grew strong with sport. His move West helped prepare him to mount The “RoughContinue reading “1906 – Theodore Roosevelt”

Bertha founded the Austrian Peace Union, And was active in the Bureau of International Peace In Bern, attending men’s meetings she was not allowed in, And wrote, in ‘the Future,’ internationalization would not cease. Nobel had said to her “My factories may well Put an end to war before your congresses.” She took this kindlyContinue reading “1905 – Von Suttner – 3”

In The Machine Age, she chose to attack states Who glamorized nationalism and military might. As she wrote, “I wanted to express the thought Of war that was burning in my soul.”  Debate Swirled wildly, with praise, critique, translations and alarm When her ‘opus magnus’ hit, Lay Down Your Arms! A study of war sheContinue reading “1905 – Von Suttner – 2”

Bertha von Suttner received the Peace Prize for A life of writing, work and lecturing on peace. Born in Prague, a countess . . . but not more, Her sex was not correct, for the times, at least. Tell how, when none to marry could be found, She failed at opera, then answered an adContinue reading “1905 – Bertha Von Suttner”

The Institute of International Law, we see, Became the Prize’s sixth recipient. Founded in Belgium in 1873, Its motto, “Justice and Peace,” was succinct. Gustave Rolin-Jacquemyns had shared his view That sovereign states be ruled by rule of law and, too, Not war or violence. But, bolstered by free trade And cooperative ventures, Peace’s pathContinue reading “1904 – The Institute of International Law”