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On this date in 1915, the chartered steamship Oscar II sailed from New
York to what is now Oslo, Norway. The voyage was the brainchild of Detroit
automaker Henry Ford. Interestingly, the trip had a North Dakota connection.
With the outbreak of WW I the previous year, several well-known private
American citizens became increasingly vocal about wanting to end the bloodshed
in Europe. The United States had not yet entered the war, and it was Ford’s
hope to keep it that way. To accomplish this goal, Henry Ford and others
organized the Ford Peace Ship.
Ford’s plan was to bring one hundred prominent men of the United
States to Denmark, Sweden and other neutral countries. There, according
to his plan, a peace conference would be held with other prominent world
figures, and a permanent peace commission would be established. Never
before had a private citizen attempted such an enterprise.
Unfortunately, none of the American participants were policy makers or
politicians; except for one.
The lone state governor to accept Ford’s invitation to attend was
North Dakota Governor Louis Hanna. He was told that people such as Andrew
Carnegie, Thomas Edison and John Wanamaker had also accepted offers to
attend.
President Woodrow Wilson and many other world leaders opposed the Ford
Peace Ship plan and would have no part of it. He and others believed that
private citizens should not be involved with world politics. None of the
countries that were then fighting were in attendance. Contrary to general
political and public sentiment, many on the Peace Ship opposed any military
buildup on the part of the United States.
Once in Europe, the Henry Ford Peace Ship plan was met with one setback
after another.
Governor Hannah’s participation in the trip was ridiculed by many.
Some believed it was a stunt to gain publicity. Was the governor trying
to displace North Dakota’s current United States Senator McCumber?
The governor’s critics believed his participation was a “personal
move for hoped-for political favor.”
The Ford Peace Ship enterprise ultimately failed, unable to accomplish
its goals. Governor Hanna returned to North Dakota after a two month tour
of Europe. He had no apologies to make for his participation. He is quoted
as saying, “If I was never an advocate for peace before, I certainly
am now.”
Wilkins, Robert P., “North Dakota and the Ford Peace Ship”,
North Dakota History, Fall, 1966. Volume 33, No. 4. pg. 379-398.
The Ford Peace Ship, http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAWford.htm
Written by Dave Seifert
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prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.
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