New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-31
THE NOBFL REQUEST.

The will of the late Alfred Nobel. the eminent
Swedish inventor is most suggestive Illus
trotjon OF one OF the strongest tendencies or
modern life For he leaves his great fortune OF
nearly s9O0OO00 for the promotion of science
and civilization rather than for the furtherance
of any theological or dogmatic opinions. Even
If there had been such thing rs genuine sci
ence in the present meaning Of the word in the
Middle Ages. II Is safe 10 say that no rich man
would have vcntured TO recognize IL so munlh-
Gently: or if he had done SO he would have
been execrated by most Christian people But
we live today in what may be called peculiarly
the age of science. This does not imply that
religion has ceased 10 interest the word: there
are indeed, many indications that religion, using
the word in its broadest sense was never more
vital force than il Is to-day. But men are no
longer concerned wholly with the thought Of
religion as q preparation for the world 10 come
They are intensely anxious TO better their con
dtion i'm this life. and as they can best do so
by learning their true place in the physical
world. they throw themselves with ardor into
the great stream OF scientific investigation that
IS growing broader and stronger every year
The will Of the Swedish inventor provides that
his fortune shall be safely invested. and that
the income from il shall be divided into five
equal portions which shall be distributed rs fol-
lows:
One-ffth to the person having made the most
important discovery or invention In the science
of physics. one-hfth TO the person who has made
the most eminent discovery or Improvement in
chemistry one-hfth to the one having made the
most important discovery with regard 10 physi-
ology medicine, one-ffth to the person who
has produced the most distinguished idealistc
work Of literature. and one-iifth to the person
who has worked the most or best for advancing
the fraterniZation OF all nations and for abol-
ishing or diminishing the standing armies, as
well for the forming or propagation OF COM
mittees OF peace.
II is. moreover. expressly declared in the will
that there shall be no discrimination on the
score of race or nationality. but that the com
petition shall be open TO all the world. The an
nouncement that five prizes of $4,000 or $4,000
eacl are open to the inventors and discoveries
of the world will prove an enormous stimulus
to all scientific investigators. and in all prob
ability will result in noteworthy contributions
to civilization and progress. The possibility Of
winning such prizes, not merely one year, but
possibly many years. will al once dazzle and
inspire the great army Of scientific students who
are already at work. For. though they may
fail once or even twice, they may succeed later
through the knowledge and experience they gain
by their failure. as well as through the valuable
suggestions that will come 10 them from the sue
cess of others. For In the field of scientific in
vcstgaton the more workers there are the more
fruitful Is the work Of each. II has been said.
indeed. that no inventor ever makes any ahso-
lutcly new discovery he simply brings 10 the
light the latent ideas OF some preceding inventor.
But. although the Nobel Request does nothing
TO encourage dogmatic religion It's last provision
I'm the very shirt az tiuc rciYon The prO-
motion Of human brotherhood and peace and
amity between nations ought 10 he. and In fact
is to-day. the supreme desire Of Christian men
and women The munlfcent prize for the best
method Of doing this which will be offered year