The preliminary committee:
B. Ritter von Carneri
Geh. Rat Graf Carl Coronini
Graf Rudolf Hoyos
Prof. Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing
Reichsratsabgeordneter Freiherr von Pirquet
P. K. Rosegger
Dr. Carl Ritter von Scherzer
A. G. Freiherr von Suttner
Bertha Baronin von Suttner-Kinsky
Fürst Alfred Wrede
A few days after the publication of this circular the definitive
formation of the governmentally authorized _Österreichische
Friedensgesellschaft_—Austrian Peace Society—took place in the Old
Rathaus, with a membership of two thousand.
Enthusiastic addresses were made, and the delegates were appointed—six
in number—who should represent the youngest peace union at the congress.
The treasury of the society had already sufficient funds to enable it to
pay traveling expenses.
Now we made our preparations for going to Rome. I also wrote to sundry
distinguished personages at home and abroad, requesting letters of
greeting and approval which I might lay before the congress.
Some of these, as well as of those that had already been sent
spontaneously, I insert here; they belong to the history of the
beginnings of the Austrian Peace Society:
Madame:
I was just reading your novel _Die Waffen nieder_, which Mr. Bulgakof
had sent me, when I received your letter. I greatly appreciate your
work, and the idea comes to me that the publication of your novel is a
happy augury.
The abolition of slavery was preceded by the famous book of a woman,
Mrs. Beecher Stowe; God grant that the abolition of war may follow
upon yours. I do not believe that arbitration is an efficient means of
abolishing war. I am just about finishing a treatise on this subject,
in which I discuss the only means which in my opinion can render wars
impossible. Nevertheless, all efforts dictated by a sincere love for
humanity will bear fruit; and the congress at Rome, I am certain, will
contribute much, just as that at London last year did, to popularize
the idea of the flagrant contradiction in which Europe finds itself
between the military status of the nations and the Christian and
humanitarian principles which they profess.
Receive, Madame, the assurance of my sentiments of genuine esteem and
sympathy.
(Signed) Léon Tolstoy[33]