MOVEMENTS TOWARDS PEACE.

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 344, 18 February 1924, Page 4

MOVEMENTS TOWARDS PEACE.

At the present time, when there is so much bitterness and want of confidence between the European Governments, one of the most encouraging features of international relations is the number of international conferences culled together by the various Peace Societies, and the goodwill and friendliness thereby fostered between the men and women forming the bulk of the population of these nations. This is specially noticeable in the case of French and Germans, who are thus given the opportunity of meeting one another in a friendly spirit, and gain ing some understanding of each other’s iife and character, the general trend of their thought, and their attitude towards those belonging to nations other than their own, between whom relations have been strained, and oftentimes inharmonious. These conferences have almost invariably revealed a desire on both sides to understand each other’s point of view, to come together for the free discussion of matters that have been the source of great difficulty and want of harmony, thereby making it possible to work together in friendly co-operation for the removal of causes of dispute, the solution of difficult problems, and the restoration of peaceful relations between nations. Amongst the most striking of these conferences is the International Deinocratic Peace Conference held last year, from August 4th to 10th, at Friburg, Baden, close to the Black Forest, where some 600 German Pacifists, mostly connected with the German Youth Movement, 130 French men and women, under the leadership of Marc Sangnier, Catholic deputy for Paris, with representatives from some twenty other countries, met for friendly discussion on the difficult problems which have arisen out of the late war, and which have been so serious an obstacle to the restoration of peace. The following details are taken from the News Sheet of the Fellowship bf Reconciliation for November of last year. “Most of the members were Catholics, but a strong contingent of Protestants and Freethinkers were also present. The difficult questions of Re parations and the Ruhr were discussed with entire frankness, and an honest cfTorl was made on both sides to understand the other’s point of view.

Common action for moral and military disarmament was planned, and resolutions were passed urging the udmission of Germany to the League, the referring of the Reparations question to the League thus enlarged, and the evacuation of occupied Germany on production of guarantees for the payment of Reparations. Far more important than the passing of resolutions, however, was the fact that here, for tin* first time, a number of influential French people met the new German \ outh. A very deep impression was made by the offer of German (Catholic Youth to go to the North of France and help to rebuild what the war had destroyed, not because they accepted the legal obligation of Reparations, but because they wanted to show in action their will to reconcile. The Conference reached its highest point when a German woman, following on this offer, asked her German sisters to manifest their will to reconciliation by giving there and then what they possessed for the devastated areas of France. Many gave their rings, brooches, and other jewels, and the Gorman paper, “Die Menscheit,” is still carrying on the collection. These facts have made a very strong impression in France, where they have been made widely known through articles in the press and extensive propaganda tours by outstanding Pacifists. Of lasting importance also were the contacts made between French and German Youth organisations. now definitely linked up with Youth groups from some fifteen other countries, including England, in the International Teague of Youth. ’’ A correspondent writes ns follows: “The French delegates were told beforehand by their compatriots that they were mad to go to Germany, would not g«t a hearing there, and wrnuld pro hnblv be insulted, and driven out. Rut they knew better. The meetings were spread over a w'eek. and were enthusl astie and harmonious. . . . One point that struck me particularly was the prominence given to religion; all seemed fully to recognise that religion is the only force that will bring about world peacf; it is only as the mass of the people grow to realise the horror and the uselessness and evil of war. that it will ever cease. ... In addition to the meetings, they had excursions Into the Black Forest, music, and social gatherings, and at all there was

the utmost cordiality. Naturally, there were differences of opinion on many points, but that in no way interfered with the harmony.” Shortly afterwards another smaller gathering was held at Constance in connection with the Catholic International League, nt which some 150 to 200 delegates were present, nearly all of whom were Roman Catholics, and here also French and Germans met daily. This was more definitely a Church gathering, and a resolution was passed recommending that a Peace Communion should be held in both countries on the first Sunday of each month, at which the Germans would pray for the French, and the French for the Gormans, "so that out of the union of hearts in Christ there shall dawn a new era of brotherly co-operation between both peoples.” Many personal friendships were also formed between French and Germans at the International Summer School of the Women’s International League, and a Reconciliation Week was arranged by the citizens of Utrecht, who invited both French and Germans to stay at their homes and meet to discuss the problems that were dividing the two nations. All such efforts, of course, only affect a certain number of individuals, it may be only a small number; but, after all, it is through the individual that every high ideal is brought down to action, and every great reform carried out. Continuous effort of this nature cannot fail to be of great value in helping to purify the atmosphere of hatred and misunderstanding, hv making the truth known in the different countries, and leading all to recognise that they are in fact brothers, upon whichever side of the frontier they inay happen to dwell, and that the only true good for each lies in that spirit of love which strives equally for the welfare of all.