CHRISTIAN DUTY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 91, 14 October 1935, Page 11

CHRISTIAN DUTY

ATTITUDE TO ITALY

JUSTICE, NOT VENGEANCE

THE LEAGUE'S TASK

The Christian peoples of the earth must search their hearts and assure themselves that they were in pursuit of justice and not vengeance in their attitude towards Italy now that that nation has been indicted as an aggressor, the Rev. Canon Percival James declared when preaching in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral yesterday. At the same time, Italy's attack upon Abyssinia must be checked and, if necessary, the members of the League of Nations must be prepared, to enforce sanctions, by arms if. necessary. ■'■ ■ ■■ Preaching from Psalm xi, 5, "He that sweareth unto his neighbour and disappointeth him not, though •it were to his own hindrance," Canon James said that the Christian mind was perplexed and shocked at .the Italian invasion of Ethiopia;'-- but the Christian must beware-of hasty and violent judgment. No Christian disciple could view the "situation without indignant horror, because the Abyssinians, who were virtually; unarmed, were being attacked by- a:; Power with modern weapons and scientific equipment., Myriads of Ethiopian patriots, defending their ancient heritage, would present their bodies as defenceless targets, to be slaughtered with merciless precision and according to time-table. There was a desire to localise the conflict,- but that was fraught with, consequences that must affect every person in the, world. ... COLLECTIVE SECURITY. "The question at issue is not merely the independence of an ancient; though still backward, African-people," the Canon-said.' "It ?is not merely the effect of this invasion, upon the millions of ■■ the coloured'races over the face of the globe—a great part within the British Empire. It is a question of the possibility^ that 'collective security* which mankind ioridly hopes for, and perceives to be the only alternative to another. Great War—a catastrophe which civilisation could hardly survive. It is a question of the possibility of substituting international law for violence,' international justice for the savage arbitrament of war. It is a question whether henceforth any confidence can; be!'put ill a succession of international agreements solemnly made. It is a question of the value or worthlessness'nc-t only of one treaty, but of all the treaties upon which the nations arei depending today. For if there can be.no secure confidence in the plighted, word of civiliged peoples, we are threatened with utter chaos in international relations, and appalling consequences, which cannot be foreseen. The two nations have presented a strange and distressing contrast."

Canon James went on to refer to the attitude of the two contestants in. the dispute, and how Italy, although one of the founders.of the League of Nations, had shown herself ruthlessly determined to employ force in-flagrant violation of at least four solemn undertakings. Italy had been convicted as the aggressor by the other States, and all Christians should be profoundly thankful for that, because if the League had acted otherwise it would have signed its death warrant. .■, They -should : guard themselves against ugly passions and vindictive hatreds against Italy. He did not fear that amongst British people, because ingratitude was not one of their national sins, and they were'linked with Italy by many ties ~of friendship. Their feeling towards Italy should resemble the sorrow of the family over one member who had failed 'and dishonoured it. ... "Ali^ our expressions about international friendship,, understanding, and co-operation require that' we shall learn to think of the nations of the world as one tatnily," said Canon James. "At present Italy has comr mitted an outrage^ upon one member of the family, .and has scorned and defied the family authority. The family'must take measures, which we are told will be neither tardy nor ineffective, to discipline and check this unruly member. These measures, which must increase in severity, -until they, prove effective, will not be ■ taken. without pain and risk to the :family -life—they will involve sacrifices by all the nations. . . . FORCE, IF NECESSARY. : "If Italy is so '.mad as; to resist .-the sanctions by force, then the members "of the League must themselves employ armed'force against Itiily. Deplorable as it would be, there could be no other course, left. . In that event) our own nation must.be ready to .contribute to the forces to be.used, in the.last resort, against Italy. I fear. that.this commitment,, has been forgotten by some, of our fellovrcitizens.!'.'1. ..,;.. '

. ..In conclusion,,Canon'James.referred to the need ] for consideration of the claims of those - nations who -were forced V: by, ihcreasipg population to expand beyond their:,present boundaries.- These, claims would have to be considered, and it would not be an

impossible task to meet them if the ( question was approached in a spirit of good will and consideration for the needs of others, and with a readiness to do justice.