SOVIET PERSECUTION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1930, Page 7

SOVIET PERSECUTION

The following statement has been issued by Commander Eva Booth, regarding th§ persecution of Christians in Russia:—

"In association with the 'Protestant^ Catholic, and Jewish communions, I de< sire, as Commander-in-Chief of the Salva* tion Army iii the United States, to entej^ a solemn protest against the persecution of citizens in Russia who exercise theii? right to worship C4od. The Salvation Army) has learned by experience what persecution means, and our hearts aro moved toj a profound sympathy with the hum bio men, women, and children who are suffer* ing the loss of all things, including life itself, for tho sake of the Supreme Lord and Father of mankind to whom they xc. fuse to forswefar their allegiance.

"The Salvation Army takes no part mi polities, and expresses no opinion on the economies of Capitalism, Communism, or any other social system, but we declare in the most explicit terms that, according to the faith which we hold and endeavour?, to express in service to others, it is impossible to found or to maintain a civilisation where the authority, and even thef existence, of the Deity is denied by the! State. We wish to add that, according to our deep conviction, a clear distinction should be drawn between the excesses o£ the persecutors in the Soviet Republic and the Russians themselves as a nation, to, whom we extend that love which is according to the command ot our Saviour; Jesus Christ.

"The Salvation Army stands second tq none in its witness for religious liberty! and its detestation of tyranny, but it accompanies this protest with an earnesti prayer that in Russia the spirit of justice and the impulse tf> mercy may triumph! over passions and prejudices which it must be remembered, are the sequel to other; persecutions antedating the present regime."