SECURITY FOR PEACE

Northern Advocate, 23 October 1935, Page 7

SECURITY FOR PEACE

COLLECTIVE ACTION ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY “LEAGUE MUST BE DEFENDED/' [British Official Wireless.l (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 21. Speaking at the Church' Conference today, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, said: “Italy has been for generations our close and constant friend, and there is no desire deeper in the hearts of all of us than that such friendship may continue. It is most important to make plain that the present dispute is not between this country and Italy but between Italy and the League of Nations. “Moreover, in passing judgment upon the acts of Italy, we are only echoing the judgment of some nations of the world. We are bound by the obligations of the Covenant, which we have deliberately undertaken.

Vlf, unfortunately, Italy has made a breach in her observance of the Covenant, that is no reason why we,, should follow that example, but, rather, there is every reason why we should be more determined to keep our own/word, and encourage other /nations to keep theirs.

. “The only security of peace jn the world /is collective acceptance of a common rule of law among the nations. So as to establish that rule, the League of Nations was founded and exists. To protect and defend the Covenant of the League is the surest way of protecting and defending the way of settled peace.” The Archbishop disclosed that he had invited authorities of all Christian committees to send simultaneously a solemn reminder of their obligations to the members representing them on the League, and he added: “I learn that the Pope .is unwilling at present to say more than he has publicly smd. We must generously recognise the peculiar difficulty in which he is placed. I hope the Anglican and Protestant communions will soon unite in uttering an assertion of the supremacy of the Kingdom of God.” Conference’s Views. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in p statement made subsequent to a conference, representing the Church of England and the- Evangelical Free Churches, the Salvation Army, and the Scottish Churches, summarises its views as follows: “We believe that the principle of collective responsibility for world peace, based on the League Covenant, is a practical application of Christianity, which members of the League must uphold. Therefore, we wholeheartedly support the League, attitude in regard to the Abyssinian war, and urge the League to arrange an international conference on more equitable distribution of the world resources, on removal of trade barriers, and' on collective reduction of armaments to the lowest point compatible with security. “We are convinced that spiritual power is the only one which in the last resort can retain world peace.”