"NO MORE WAR."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18550, 27 November 1925, Page 11

"NO MORE WAR."

TO TBH EDITOR OF "THE PBESG." | Sir.—From a recent copy of the Dunedin "\Star," I observe that the Kev. Dr. Gibb hag been delivering himself of bis views on the League of Nations before the Presbyterian General Assembly. Dr. Gibb lias an exalted opinion of the League and its possibilities, and lias gone so far as to christen it the "Kingdom of God"—-.ir international relations, at all events—and "is the only tiling," lie- declares; "that stands between us and another Armageddon." He sees in another gieat war "the destruction of the Empire avo all Jove 'so well, civilisation as we know it, and tho end of the supremacy of tlu> white race." It is strange to notice the different attitudes of uiiieient clerics as regards the means to be adopted in tho preservation and progress of the human race. Some-fol-low the evolutionists, who see a steady development in man from his monkey ancestors, although they fail to explain his various lapses throughout thousands of years, leaving him at this enlightened ago a sorry spectacle of failure. Others seem to regard it as their religious and moral duty to get the community completely reformed by the incessant passing of legislation •which will ooinpel everyone to do as he ought to do. I believe neither in evolution, nor in legislation for.the saving of humanity. Man seems to be going as far astray as his Maker is going to allow him, and then will come a climax, when neither the League of Nations, nor the.passing of resolutions by. "no more war" meetings will save him. Dr.' Gibb and his friends need not be in the least afraid that humanity is going to bo allowed to perish. There is a God above, who' has told ris in His Book the principal plans Ho. lias for man in tho future, and these plans will be fulfilled in His own time and in His own' way. Tho future is not in the hands of any man >or class of -men. and it sounds ridiculous to bear anyone giving it forth that it is certain war can be stopped and civilisation advanced by the League of Nations, and the passing of resolutions. At the present time there are eminent, statesmen who have been in the closest touch with, European jfnitics, and affairs in the Near East, for a number of years, who take quite a different view from Dr. Gibb as to the prospects of peace in the near future. I hardly think one of these men. even after advice of the Lofcamo Pact, would exclaim: "Glory bo to God, there's a chance for this old world yet!" Is | there.no chance for this world except through this move .of the League of Nations? Is there no God above te see that this world is going to be put i right? At Melbourne, about a. week J ago,, Sir John Monash, said: "With: every ounce of energy.l possess I adjure my fellow-countrymen not to pin j their faith to .the League's covenants ; as a means of keeping us out of war." In 1923. Mr Lloyd George, speaking in London, ono Sunday afternoon, viewed the perplexing problems of th? times and said-. "I am completely baffled—l. am baffled!" _ Mr Austen Chamberlain said some time ago: "It is brought borne to me with every day that I pass at my work that Europe is .moving uneasily, slowly it may be, but "certainly to a new catastrophe." Many other authorities could be emoted expressing similar views.—Yours, etc., . "WATCHMAN.