Letter from ---------- to May Wright Sewall.

NOBEL

my own translation.

Rules of the Nobel prize. SS1.

Doctor Alfred Bernhard Nobels testament established on the 27th of November 1895:

The capital, which by the executive is to be invested in safe valuta, is to be made a fund, the rent of which is to be distributed yearly as a prize to those who in the previous year have done the greatest use to humanity.

The rent is to be divided in 5 equal parts, which shall be given to him, who in physics has made the most important discovery or invention, one part to him, who has done the most important chemical improvement, one part to him who has done the most important discovery in medicine or physiologi, one part to him who in literature has produced the most excellent work in idealistic direction and one part to him who has worked most or best to promote brotherhood between the peoples, and for the abolition or reduc- [reduction]

2)

tion of armies and for the establish ment and development of peace congresses.

The prizes for physics and for chemistry are to be distributed by the Swedish Academy of Science, for the physiological and medical works by the Caroline Institute in Stockholm, for literature by the academy in Stockholm and for the peace work by the committee, who are to be elected by the Norwegian parliament. It is my definite will, that no regard is to be taken to nationalities by the distribution of prizes, in order, that the most worthy shall get the prize, whether he is a Scandinavian or not.

SS4

A prize can be divided on two works which each is considered worthy of reward. If two or several together have done a work, which is accomplished, the prize can be given to them in common.

A work, which is done by a person who later on has died, cannot be the subject.

(Alfred Nobel was a Swede, but he gave the peace prize to Norway in acknowledgement of Norways lead in the arbitration movement.)

3)

of reward. The prize can however be given, if the death has occurred after a proposal has been forwarded in due manner, that this work whould be rewarded.

It is the right of every distributor to decide, if the prize, which he is to award, also may be given to an institution or a union. (associations.)

As you see the Nobel prize is not bound to a peace work, but to a work to promote brotherhood.

This instituion: The Stead hostels is an international work to the good of humanity in memory of the champion of peace and arbitration. W. Stead has started the idea of Hostels for working women and he has been proposed to the Nobel prize by many organisations and prominent Nobel prize winners. --as Bertha von Suttner, Gobat, Frederic Passy, Estournelles de Constant.

I hope that the Nobel prize will be divided between The English American Peace Centenary Committee, and the Mead Memorial Trust.