New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-13
WE MUST RISK WAR,
SAYS BISHOP BRENT
Speaking at Manila, He
Points Out the Duty of
United States.
CAN'T LET OTHERS
MODEST CONVICTIONS
Be Neutral, but Not Voiceless or
Timid, He Pleads on
Memorial Day.
Especial Correspondence. n, Tn. Tribune. ]


Manila, P. l., May ST. admit that
if we play our part bravely and boldly
we shall risk being caught in the pres
ent imbroglio. If so, let US risk it.
Sometimes the most pernicious form Of
action is inaction
Bishop Charles H. Brent. OF Manila,
speaking at the MemorIa1 Day exercises
at Camp John Hay, Baguio, to-day
made that reference TO the neutrality
of the United States.
This year Memorial! Day takes on
a grander significance and Office than
ever before" the Bisnop said. ut
ceases to be purely national day and
claims international character.
"0ur lot is cast in favored ground.
We alone of the greater nations stand
tense yet free, vigilant yet unentan-
gled 1t is not that we are afraid to
fight, but we fight only when 1t is a
dishonor to abide at peace. Neutral we
are, neutral let us continue, provided
that our neutrality does not leave US
voiceless or passive or passionless or
timid. No country c@n afford, even for
the sake of peace, TO treat its convlc-
tions lightly or allow others TO modest
them without rebuff Though 1t is pro-
foundly true that there is a position
so morally impregnable that 1t sights
itself by calling on force TO defend II
neutral country must pursue the
strong tenor of its way without fear OF
favor. If it may not resort to force
neither may it swerve from its plain
duty because of the risk Of being as
sailed by force.
"a neutral nation has the highest anC
most difficult task Of all to perform. II
stands for fairness, not for indifer
ence for mediation, not for aloofness
for the general welfare, not for provln'
cialism. America must aid the worlc
TO purchase something rich and endur'
ing with this unparalleled expenditure
of blood that is dyeing red the sol
of Europe.
Think in Terms of Whole.
"If the world of men promote anC
preach a less exclusive conception 81
nationality than that which obtains, anC
/ il they succeed in establishing mutus
respect and considerateness among tn,
family of nations, Armageddon will MOI
not have been in vain.
1.-THE whole history of alliances
treaties, ententes, seems to say TO u:
to-day-in a world of men unchange
! ably one, beware of the vice OF IN
completeness and think in terms OF The
/ whole. We must learn how 70 grouI
vastly, completely, if we are to pu
| together the confused pieces of thu
world puzzle. No longer can there d
either self-chosen national isolation, NJ
internationally imposed naturalization
II national isolation has been splendi'
on occasions in the past, save for som
great and rare moral end it can neve
be anything but cowardly and selhSl
in the future. As for naturalization
il is only an expedient, and futile on
at that, for protecting a lamb from
mack of wolves. Let small peoples VIII
look to naturalization for succor rea
the handwriting on the wall. The bl
nations seem to say to the weakllng u
| semi-contempt and semi-covetousness
You are too feeble to defend yoursel
so we will draw a chalkline around yo'
but you had better look out all tn
same!
Belgium a Fools Paradise.
Intent on her industrial develop
ment, Belgium lived in FOOLS para
disc until she was caught between ;h'
upper and neither millstones. neu
tralized nation is in a fair way OF be
coming a denationalized nation.
Hitherto in days of reconstruction
/ following on war, men have been &c
customed to think in terms OF coun
tries or continents or hemispheres. w
can never again consider apart m
concerns of Europe and of America, o
East and of West. We must hereatte
think in terms Of the whole. 1t is m
longer a matter of choice but of neces
sitv. As it is with the countries, so q
il with the churches. Until they la.
aside their eXclusiveness and aloofne5
their suspicious and unklndnesses, the.
are devoid of basic principle OF thcl
common Master, Christ, and Christian
ity will continue to be the fragmentaf'
and limpng thing it is.
"If we do not fail of our presen
opportunity and responsibility, tn
world of a hundred years hence Will b.
thinking in terms of the human whol
lust as naturally as the United Sta:o
Are to-day thinking in terms of the "a
tional whole. At any rate this IS IN
goal at which to aim.
There spreads out before US so sun
lime q future that il acts as a consola
ton in, If not a compensation for, IN
red horrors Of the moment. Moan "
must from time TO time, as some ne
phase of the world tragedy sweeps owe
US with its hot breath, but even Will
we weep we will not cease TO hold tae
tc the conviction that the brave hav
not been brave in vain and that on
redemption draweth nigh"