CITIZENSHIP AND CONSCIENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 22

CITIZENSHIP AND CONSCIENCE.

One might suppose that a professor of theology in Yale University would make a peculiarly desirable type of American citizen. Yet a United States District Court has refused the application for naturalisation of Professor Douglas B. Macintosh, now a British subject. In reply to a question, "If necessary, are you- willing to take up arms in the defence fo this country?" Professor Macintosh replied in part as follows: "I am willing to do what I judge to be ,in the best interests of my country, but only in so far aa I can believe that this is not going to be against tho best interests of humanity in the long run. Ido not undertake to support 'my country, right or wrong,' in any dispute that may arise, and I am not willing to promise beforehand, and without knowing the cause for which my country may go to war, either that I will or that I will not 'take up arms in defence of this country,' however 'necessary' the war may seem to be to the government of the day." Of course, he migh< eimply have answered "Yes," leaving it to himself to determine when it would be necessary to defend this country, but he evidently preferred frankly to raise the issue as to whether he was bound in advance to defend a policy against which his conscience revolted. The question is an important one, which is not confined to naturalisation courts. Every Christian must face it, arid there would seem to be but one answer that he can give. E.S.