Evening star., 1948-08-31
Appreciation of Nine. Schwimmer

Appreciation of Mime. Schwimmer
To the Editor OF The Star:
Your editorial on the late Rosika Schwimmer.
who was this years outstanding candidate
for the Nobel Peace Prize, was informative.
AS you stated, Nine Schwimmer was the
first woman to achieve the rank Of diplomatic
minister, being appointed in 1918 by the new
democratic Hungarian government to serve in
Switzerland Less widely known Is the fact
that it was the influence Of two Americans
that brought about her dismissal from that
important post, which she occupied with dis
tinction for . few months only. 1t happened
that the United States Minister to Swit1er-
land Pleasant H. Stovall, disliked Nine.
Schwimmer on several grounds. AS q con-
servative Southern Democrat he disliked her
thoroughgoing liberalism AS an opponent Of
the active campaign for womens rights, he
objected to her reputation as the foremost
European suffrage leader. AS an unconditional
surrenderite he opposed her activities which
had dated from the first day of World War I,
to bring about a peace of reason and justice
dictated by neither opposing coalition. As an
ardent miltarist he disliked her pacifist con-
victions. Therefore on December 8, 1918, he
wrote to DR.. George Heron, unoficial agent of
Wilson, requesting that he bring influence to
bear to secure Nine. Schwimmer's removal.
Professor Heron contacted q relative of the
Hungarian Prime Minister, who promptly took
steps to comply with the request. The full
correspondence which passed during this secret
manuever is to be found in the Hoover War
Library at Stanford University. Hungary, fear
full Of offending America on whom she was
depending for = just peace settlement, thus
sacrificed this most distinguished and able
diplomat
The following year the Bolshevik Dictator
ship in Hungary totally severed Nine. Schwim-
mers connection with her native land, nor
did she consider its successor, the reactionary
Horthy regime, worthy OF her allegiance. Con-
sequently, she sought American citizenship.
which, as you pointed out, she was denied
because of her conscientious objection to all
war-thu becoming the first woman to be
denied citizenship in a civilized country for
such q reason.
Although her complete devotion to noble
ideals and principles had resulted in the sacri-
ice Of her Hungarian diplomatic position and
the denial of American citizenship, this re-
markable woman to the day of her death re-
mained active in every sort Of humanitarian
effort. She worked tirelessly for the pacinst
cause. pioneer since 1914 IN advocating
world organization, she was co-founder in
1887 Of the Campaign for World Government,
forerunner Of many such groups today. And
by correspondence to the day of her death
she strengthened the resolve of literally hum
dreds Of individuals and groups throughout the
world to work for better and more tolerant
world order
Broken in health and in wealth, both of
which this talented woman had given to hu-
manity, Rosika Schwimmer assuredly deserves
the name she has been given by 50 many: First
Citizen Of the World.
Your fine editorial has been much appreci-
ated by those who admired her work and the
things for which she stood for the past 10
years. RICHARD LANGFORD.