The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-11
Correspondence Of The Journal.

Correspondence Of The Journal.
Ohristiania, Norway, Dec. Is, 1901-Dec.
10 was the fifth anniversary of the death
Alfred Nobel and this date was fixed upon
for the distribution of the great prizes
for scientific and humanitarian excellence
provided for by the testament of this re-
markable man. Alfred Nobel was born
In Stockholm, 1898, and died at St. Reno,
Italy, 1895. He received his education at
st. Petersburg and became a partner in
the business of his father. which under
hts guidance gained worldwide fame.
His patents on dynamite and smokeless
powder, exploited in all the countries OF
the world, gained him an immense for
tune He was never married and what
leisure his extensive business left him he
improved In doing good to his fellow-men.
On his death he left but small requests
to his relatives and devoted the bulk of
his fortune to the perpetual advancement
etry. o." ~,
According to the provisions Of Mr.. No
bells will every year there is to be a
distribution of five prizes to individuals,
who in the Judgment Of committees ap-
pointed for the purpose in the course Of
the preceding year, shall have pre-emi-
nently contributed to the advancement of
humanity, by discoveries in physics.
chemistry, physiology or medicine by the
finest literary works, or by eminent exer-
tions for the furtherance of the brother
hood of nations, the abolition. of standing
armies and the advancement Of universal
peace. The distribution of four of
prizes was entrusted to the Swedish
Academy of Sciences, the Caroline Insti-
tute and the Academy of Stockholm, that
of the fifth prize to committee of five
appointed by the parliament of Norway.
The prizes are to be distributed irrespect-
I've of nationality, solely on the merit of
the candidates. In future the prizes will
be given to those who have originated the
latest great advances in the fields indi-
Gated, and one prize may be divided be-
tween two collaborators or equally mer-
itorious candidates or prize may be CIV
en- to some scientific institution or So
ciety, whose work shall seem worthy of
reward.
A further proviso in tho will enables
the committees in charge to organize in
stttutes for the furtherance of their work
where scientists of all nations may prose-
cute their studies in the fields Indicated.
The only one thus far organized is In con-
nection with the literary prize. Books to
the value of 100000 crowns representing
bellies lettres in twenty different Ian
guages, have been bought, leaving 100000
crowns for this years literary prize.
The committee of the Norwegian par
lament awarded this years '*Peace price
Jointly to Jean Henry Dunant and Fred
eric Passy, who receive each the sum of
1O4 900 francs.
j. H. Dunant was born in Geneva, be-
came doctor of medicine, published a
work on Slavery in the United States in
1858, took part in the Italian war 1859,
organized volunteer ambulance corps,
which saved hundreds of lives at the bat
tie Of Solferino. Deeply impressed with
the butcheries he had witnessed, Mr..
Dunant published a work on the horrors
of war and travelled through Europe en-
deavoring. to enlist sympathies for his
great plan of organizing volunteer ambu-
lances and training nurses to accompany
the armies in the field to care for the
wounded. AS result Of his exertions,
in 1863 representatives of forty govern
ments met for consultation In Geneva and
In 1864 the ''Red Cross League was orr
ganized and given international recogni-
ton and protection.
While thus his great lifework prospered
and resulted in untold good to others,
MIR. Dunant himself met with great re-