Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Wednesday 29 November 1916, page 7


WOMEN'S PEACE CHAIN.

A DANISH MOVEMENT.

The following article, written by Mrs. Wright, in "Bcrlinske Tidende," a Danish paper, has been translated by Miss Clio Jensen, il.A., for the Peace Army :—

"The women met at the Hague in April, 1915, from 13 countries, belligerent and neutral, in order to discuss and consider what could be done that this might bo the last war, in which men of white races should rise against ono another. Before these women dispersed and returned to their hearths and homes, they had togethed talked over basic principles, which, if applied to life, would servo to hinder a repetition of this world calamity. All were agreed that if- the peace, which must come somo time, is not to bear witliln it the germ of a new war, it must bo built upon tho recognition of human rights, also for tho conquered. The right of each nation to decide for itself what language it will speak, to what culture it will adhere, must be acknowledged in tho same way as religious freedom, and freedom of thought are now acknowledged by all European States.

"Tho international disputes of the future must bo submitted to a Court of Arbitration, whose decisions are Irrefragable, Tho people's representatives In tho various countries ought to be admitted to tho control of foreign politics, sinco It is a well-known fact that this very war which Is now destroying the youth of Europe broke out in the middle of the summer, at a Uiuo when all popularly elected representatives were cut off from exercising uny sort of influence whatever. And since the women's franchise has not S'et been granted in somo countries, Llils was inciudtd in tho Hague programme, because all were convinced that the women's haticd 'and'abhorrence of a*ar was even greater than tho iieti's, and that women's influence in )ubllc life would bo a powerful guurnn.00 that war would not again burst lpon European countries,

"In order that those principles might 10 carried from tho world of thought nto the world of reality, there was ormcd during those-same days at tho lague, "The International Women's Jomnuttcc for Permanent Peace,' which

it once embraced tho 13 countries 1 vhieh had sent representatives to tho 1 ongresa. Since then four other coun- 1 ries havo been added. In each of 1 heso 17 countries there Is a group of

30 women interested in peace, and with 1 a command of languages tlio group of

3d should Uurcpieseritatlve of ail ranks i ol scuct>, and of all political opinions. In Denmark this is actually the case.

But in a cause of such importance nil i women should, of course, join, and, therefore, tho Danish section has in

these days begun Its work of forming i "Tho Danish "Women's Pence Chain." I

"All of us who hate war and win cherish In our hearts the hope that some time on this beautiful earth with tho thorny paths Right will nrevall over Might, must Join tho Danish Women's Peace Chain, and together with our signatures forward a peace shilling for tho carrying on of our work, a/id for tho comfort of thought—namely that thousands of women's hearts b*.at in sympathy with ours, and long for, and will strive for peace—peace In the days to come. For wo all understand that we cannot stop this war—It must run its terrible course.

"But, oh that it might be tho last! Could it illl the hearts of men with such a hatred, such an abhorrence of tho idea, of war, that a rccurreneo would lio beyond the bounds of possibility, then this war would not liavo been waged In vain, then the sniftering nnd bloodshed would not pe lor nought, then after all a bright day Is dawning behind tho night of death ond horror which now hangs over mankind."