CHRISTIAN DUTY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 11

CHRISTIAN DUTY

IN INTERNATIONAL WORK

AMERICAN CHURCH CALL 1

The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, which took a leading part in advocating the summoning of the Washington Conference, has recentlyresolved to press for recognition o* America's international obligations. In a letter to the Rev. Dr. Gibb, the general secretary of the council explains its purpose. "It has seemed to many- of us (he writes) that the present situation in Europe called for special concerted action on the part of the churches'in the United States, in.order that.the American people may have a fuller understanding of their duty and opportunity in the present crisis. To this end the Commission on International Justice and Goodwill recently held a conference of representatives of the constituent bodies of the Federal Council, in order to afford an opportunity for an interchange of views. As a result of this meeting, there lias been prepared a statement entitled, ' A Declaration Concerning America's International Obligations,' which has been approved also by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Council of Churches." . The declaration is' as follows:—" The hope that after the war the world would move rapidly towards permanent peace and. a well-ordered international life has been shattered. '. Growing .unrest, political intrigues, physical distress^ and suffering, a disordered, economic life, itu creasing distrust, suspicions, and hatreds all point to great disaster. If the drift be allowed to continue in the present direction, new wars will cripple still further our civilisation, and may even carry it into eclipse for centuries.' The failure of diplomatic and financial . efforts to bring about a ' satisfactory settlement constitutes a direct challenge to the Christian Church. , Righteousness, justice, and goodwill are the foundations of lasting peace. The problem is essentially a spiritual one, and comes distinctly within the. scope of the Church's duty. The Administrative Committee of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, believes that it is voicing the moral judgment of the overwhelming majority of ■ thoughtful Christian people in making, the following claration:—----NO MANDATE FOR ALOOFNESS. First: We believe that the United States should accept its full share of responsibility for bringing about an effective settlement of international problems. There are those who think the Government has a mandate- from the people to pursue a policy of aloofness. We do not thus understand the situation. The churches have declared, and must declare again, their convictions that generous co-operation among the nations is absolutely necessary to cope with the present hunger, strife, uncertainty, and despair of the world.. The participation of the United States is indispensable to successful co-operative action. An attitude of aloofness exposes our foreign policy to the charge of timidity and ineffectiveness. The present crisis in Europe summons us not to pass judgment on other people, but in a spirit of humility and self-examination to review our own. attitude as a. nation, and to asW our--selves how we may, by co-operation with other nations, help- to meet the overwhelming responsibility which rests upon the entire world. SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE. Second: We believe that the. United States should take the initiative in calling an international conference to consider the whole economic' and political situation in Europe,' including repara^ tions, debts, and armaments, in the endeavour to accomplish in Europe a result commparable to that which' was achieved by the Four-Power Pact in the Far East. We welcome the suggestion of President Harding in his message to Congress on Bth December,, when, in referring to that agreement, he said: "It might be made a, model for like assurances wherever in the world i»ny common interests are concerned . . . believe in the value of conferences and consultation, in the effectiveness of leaders of nations looking- each other in the face."' In calling such a.conference we/ believe that the United States should make it known, as it did at the opening ■session of the Conference on *ke Limitation of Armament; that we are ready to make, in common with other nations, whatever concessions, financial or otherwise, may be necessary to bring about an ordered international life. We are convinced that a sacrificial spirit en. our part would evoke a willingness in other nations 'also to make the adjustments that may be needed. Our plans fer reconstruction should include not tnly out allies but our former enemies. Bankers, economists, and business men are telling us that only the re-establishment of normal economic conditions in Europe can bring prosperity to ' American agriculture and industry. What they declare necessary to the basis of enlightened self-interest, we declare necessary also from the standpoint of the Christian ideal of brotherhood. The well-being of our own country is inseparably bound up with an unselfish consideration "of the well-being of the other nations of the world. "WRONG MUST BE RIGHTED." Third: We believe that our Government will not be true to its ideals unless it records a definite protest against any settlement of the Near Eastern question on a basis of expediency or commercial advantage, and without some amends for tragic wrongs which have resulted in the persecution and practical destruction of the Armenian people, and the confiscation of their property. For the good of all nations wrong must be righted, or a Nemesis is sure to follow. We. would urge that in any further conference on Near Eastern problems our Government should give full power to its delegates in all matters in which the rights of humanity are at 'stake and share with the Allied Powers the responsibility, for reaching conclusions based upon righteousness and justice. If the Lausanne Conference is not renewed,, wo believo that our Government should co-operate, and, if necessary, ,take the initiative in' the appointment of an international commission which would deal with the whole subject of the refugee and orphan problem in the Near East, and that it should offer to bear its i share in providing whatever may be necessary financially to establish these, people in some place of safety snc opportunity. The declaration concludes with an appeal_to. Christians to mako their attitude known to the American Govern-' ment.