Details
FORD, Henry (1863-1947), Industrialist. Typed circular letter signed ("Henry Ford") to "Dear Friend," on board S.S. Oscar at sea, 11 December 1915. 4 pages, 8vo, 211 x 135mm, headed Scandanavian-American Line stationery, two small repairs at fold.
HENRY FORD'S ATTEMPT TO STOP THE WAR IN EUROPE
A letter relating to Henry Ford's remarkable Peace Ship, a commercial liner chartered by the industrialist and carrying an influential assortment of some 100 educators, suffragists, socialists, pacifists, ministers, reformers and reporters as a peace initiative. The Peace Ship sailed on 7 December from Hoboken for Europe, attracting worldwide publicity and media attention. Ford's letter was apparently circulated to invited delegates on his ship. Ford opens by describing the purpose of the peace mission: "to free the good will of Europe that it may assert itself for peace and justice...that international disarmament may be accomplished," and secondly, "the prevention of future wars by the abolition of competitive armaments." A committee of the guests had been formed to draft a platform or charter, which was "presented at a public meeting...with the request that those who were in agreement with it should append their names." But some apparently objected to this, and accused Ford of "steam-roller methods." Ford gives assurances that "there is no desire whatsoever to coerce anyone against his convictions. Unless cooperation is voluntary, it is valueless." It was thought, he writes, that "there was no other way to accomplish our purpose in a voluntary and democratic manner." He goes on to clarify the platform's call for disarmament: it calls not for unilateral disarmament by the U.S. but for no increase in military expenditures, for "we must go abroad with clean hands. What could be more absurd and inconsistent that for us to ask Europe to stop adding to her own military burdens while supporting either actively or passively a proposed increase of them in our own country? For the first time...there is a widespread movement to plunge us into the race for military supremacy and the best interests of our mission will not allow us to do otherwise than express our solemn opposition." He apologizes for the misunderstanding of the intent of the platform and concludes that "I am sure that there has been nothing to shake our faith in the great humane purpose on which we have set out..."
Ford's personally signed circular letter, issued on shipboard, is very rare. One copy, we are informed, is in a midwest institution and no more than two others exist in private hands.
HENRY FORD'S ATTEMPT TO STOP THE WAR IN EUROPE
A letter relating to Henry Ford's remarkable Peace Ship, a commercial liner chartered by the industrialist and carrying an influential assortment of some 100 educators, suffragists, socialists, pacifists, ministers, reformers and reporters as a peace initiative. The Peace Ship sailed on 7 December from Hoboken for Europe, attracting worldwide publicity and media attention. Ford's letter was apparently circulated to invited delegates on his ship. Ford opens by describing the purpose of the peace mission: "to free the good will of Europe that it may assert itself for peace and justice...that international disarmament may be accomplished," and secondly, "the prevention of future wars by the abolition of competitive armaments." A committee of the guests had been formed to draft a platform or charter, which was "presented at a public meeting...with the request that those who were in agreement with it should append their names." But some apparently objected to this, and accused Ford of "steam-roller methods." Ford gives assurances that "there is no desire whatsoever to coerce anyone against his convictions. Unless cooperation is voluntary, it is valueless." It was thought, he writes, that "there was no other way to accomplish our purpose in a voluntary and democratic manner." He goes on to clarify the platform's call for disarmament: it calls not for unilateral disarmament by the U.S. but for no increase in military expenditures, for "we must go abroad with clean hands. What could be more absurd and inconsistent that for us to ask Europe to stop adding to her own military burdens while supporting either actively or passively a proposed increase of them in our own country? For the first time...there is a widespread movement to plunge us into the race for military supremacy and the best interests of our mission will not allow us to do otherwise than express our solemn opposition." He apologizes for the misunderstanding of the intent of the platform and concludes that "I am sure that there has been nothing to shake our faith in the great humane purpose on which we have set out..."
Ford's personally signed circular letter, issued on shipboard, is very rare. One copy, we are informed, is in a midwest institution and no more than two others exist in private hands.