BRITAIN'S LEAD

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 16, 28 February 1939, Page 7

BRITAIN'S LEAD

MORAL REARMAMENT

DUTCH MINISTER'S TRIBUTE

Dr Patijn, Netherlands Foreign Minister, expressed gratitude to Britain for her inspiring lead in moral rearmament at a memorial luncheon in honour of Hugo Grotius, founder of International Law, in London, on February 15, reports the Dominion. Speaking to a distinguished audience, including Lord Halifax, British Foreign Minister, Lord Athlone and the Lord Mayor of London, Dr Patijn said: "I believe that if Grotius were here today he would join with me in gratitude for moral rearmament. Grotius had a firm belief in the possibility of a moral basis in the relations between nations. He was aware that in dealings between peoples, as well as between individuals, if confidence no longer existed the world would become a hell. "This is the same spirit which inspired the statements in 'The Times' by Lord Baldwin and 16 others, and which inspired a personal message recently issued by Her Majesty our Queen to the people of the Netherlands on moral rearmament. It also inspired a letter in 'The Times' signed by Lord Athlone and six others. "We must teach-ourselves to apply practically to our conduct a Christian standard of honesty, purity and love to make the fulfilment of the will of God a touchstone forN private and public life. This letter from Lord Athlone might have been written by Grotius himself," continued Dr Patijn, "who may be said to have been the pioneer in introducing Christian ethics in international relationships. "Throughout history treaties have been violated. This may sometimes be unavoidable, treaties being imperfect. Today v/e see a revival of the old theory of military strength as the only factor that counts in international policy, but fortunately there has also been a moral and spiritual reaction to which there has been a world-wide response." Referring to the courteous saying that the conduct of nations is to be measured by the same moral standard as that of individuals, Dr Patijn said: "There is a growing conviction that national betterment is con-

ditioned by raising the individual standard. Putting into practice the principles of Grotius 13 the bast tribute our generation can pay him."