New-York tribune., 1906-12-11
THE NOBEL PRIZES.

FOR the first time since the bestowal of prizes
under the terms of Alfred NoheTs will began,
in 1901 an award has been made to the head
of a government II is Il scarcely less remark
able fact thai ~ great distinction should thus
no conferred for a service 10 the cause of in
ternational peace. Rulers have far more fire.
ouently been intent conquest or forclble re-
prisaIs for real or imaginary wrongs than on
averting or terminating war. Other men who
fill posts of responsibility corresponding to that
which President Roosevelt occupies have IN
doubtedly exerted their influence for the pro
motion OF universal amity, but in the Judgment
Of the executors Of the Nobel trust none of
them have of late years achieved results COM
pa arabie with those which followed the Ports
mouth conference. The large share which the
President of the United States had in restoring
peace between Russia and japan would un-
doubtedly have won for him the Nobel prize
a wear ago were ii not that nominations for
the honor must be made in February
one of the questions which yesterdays first
announcement Immediately suggested 10 many
minds related to the use TO which Mr. Roose-
velt would devote the large sum Of money soon
TO be put ar his disposal. But before there
was time for conjecture il was Ofhclaly maue
known that he had determined TO devote the
$4,000 to the establishment of & permanent
industry. The details of his plan TO that end
will he awaited with deep interest by the coun-
try. but the wisdom and generosity of his de-
cision are obvious The rule prescribing that
Z recipient of a Nobel prize shall visit Sweden
or Norway and deliver an address within six
months of his notification OF the award pro-
vides that such attendance shall not be deemed
requisite II an individual on whom the award
is bestowed is prevented" This exception re-
lieves the President from an obligation which
is generally binding but it can readily be
believed that if he felt at liberty TO consult
his own inclination he would acknowledge the
honor in person at Christiania.
At least TWO of the three men who receive
prizes this year for valuable scientific work
are 50 we'll known in the United States that
the mere mention Of their names viii serve
as reminder Of their achievements. Professor
J J. Thomson. of Cambridge University, is
the man whose observations led him TO con-
clude that the atom is composed of very much
smaller particles. and is not indivisible as was
once held. His teachings are not vet fully ac-
cepted, perhaps, but they have had Il revolu-
tonarv effect in physics, his own special de
partment Of science. and in chemistry as well.
Henri Moissan is the Frenchman who created
a profound sensation q few years ago by max
ing genuine diamonds. They were too small
to possess commercial value and he never at
tempted 10 carry the process further. His best
professional service is undoubtedly the devel
opment Of the electric furnace. which has on
abled his fellow chemists TO accomplish results
never before attainabe. Professor Camille
GOlgi has n least three claims on the graft
rude Of medical men in his own and other
This Italian investigator devised
method Of staining the nerves which greatly
haE
in the studies which revealed the peculari-
ties Of the parasite Of malaria, and he Invented
a new and acceptable way of administering
nninine.