Para Pacem – an Austrian peace movement with a difference

According to its statutes it called for the settlement of conflicts among nations by arbitration and set itself the aim of implementing this in practice. It was not interested in considering the theoretical aspects or programmes of pacifist movements but, according to the historian Christoph Gütermann, primarily in implementing practical initiatives and projects – for example through the publication of lectures, brochures and books, the founding of local and youth groups, and special departments dealing with education and hygiene. In this way it differed from the Austrian Peace Society led by Bertha von Suttner and Alfred H. Fried, with whom Adolf Müller had a tense relationship.

Unlike the Austrian Peace Society, which was “suspended for the duration of the war”, Para Pacem was able for the most part to continue its activities. Between 1915 and 1917 it even managed to publish six issues of its mouthpiece, also called Para Pacem. In view of the rigorous censorship, however, the opinions had to be expressed in highly cautious terms. The reaction to these publications was split: the association was able to increase its membership as a result, but Para Pacem’s initiatives also met with criticism, as it was feared that its plea for understanding among nations could be interpreted by enemy powers as an expression of weakness.

Gütermann writes that in 1916 Para Pacem conducted a survey to address the question of whether it is “desirable and timely to take a stand now against efforts to obstruct or even prevent cooperation between nations after peace has been declared” to which thirty-four people submitted written replies. Contributors included Heinrich Lammasch, who was also honorary president of the association, and the two board members Josef Schumpeter and Ignaz Seipel. The latter wrote: “I am conducting a continuous campaign against the artificial incitement of bitterness towards members of foreign nations and advocate the maintenance of a cultural community among European nations.”

Translation: Nick Somers