The Irish standard., 1915-09-11

The following correspondence be-
tween the Bishop of Limerick and Mr..
Redmond constitutes a strong i'm
peachment Of the latter, who shows
q callous indifference to the threaten.
ed calamities his countrymen are now
facing.-Ed. l. W.
Limerick. August 4, 1915.
Dear Mr.. Redmond: The appeal
which Our Holy Father the Pope has
addressed to the belligerents in the
awful war, which is devastating the
world. will be read with the sympathy
and backed up by the moral support
of millions of the best of the human
race. Amid the din Of arms. in the
tumult of passion, and all the immeas.
urable horrors Of this revolving human
slaughter the voice of the Vicar of
Christ comes like an air from Heaven,
and the very mention Of Peace is like
a rift in the clouds. bringing with It
the hope Of Gods mercy for the strick-
en- nations of the earth.
But amongst them all, none will re.
ceive this solemn appeal with deeper
gratitude and reverence than our own
Irish people and for that reason
venture to address you, whose respon-
sibilities at this moment are so heavy
and beg of you to throw the weight of
your influence strongly on the side of
peace:
1t is not easy to see what objection
any of the belligerents can take to the
proposal of the Pope. He does not ask
any of them to make any concession,
to undergo any humiliation, to abate
one jot of what 1t considers to be its
just claims. He simply asks them
with the experience of the woeful
year that has just closed, to confer,
either directly with one another, or
through some neutral, and see II 1t is
possible to find terms, or even an ap.
proach to terms, on which they might
put an end to this disastrous war.
Unfortunately, one voice Of passion
has been RAISED already, without, We
may hope, due consideration, to make
the shocking and un.C Christian state
ment that to talk Of peace at the pres
ent moment is immoral There was
never more cruel and heartless un
truth. Now and at all times, Blessed
are the peacemakers." But now more
than ever, when the world Is running
red with human blood, and suffering
millions, in the anguish of their hearts,
are praying daily to God to put an end
to the horrors of this abominable war.
Our Holy Father speaks words OF
sober truth and reason, and the i'm.
partial judgment of neutral nations,
and much more of history, will utterly
condemn those who refuse to hear
him.
Some Very Pertinent Questions.
At crisis such as this, where is the
wisdom of repeating, like parrot cry
that no proposals for peace can be en-
tertained until Germany is beaten tc
her knees? Delenda est Carthage Ii
very fine, II you were sure of being
able to do 1t. But Is there compe
tent man in England this moment WHIT
is confident Of being able to crust
Germany? Or to crush her at a cos
that would be less ruinous than defeat
1t may or may not be desirable Il
annihilate German power; but that Il
not the question now, but is 1t prac
ticable? Proud and arrogant talk give
no help, and revolts the consciences o
men; and people who set out to smasl
Germany should ask themselve
whether the defeat of Russia, and tn
weakening Of France, and the state Q
things at the Dardanelles. have not RI
Gently somewhat altered the condition
Of the problem
A few months ago they counted wit
confidence on the triumphant progress
of the Russian ''steamroller." This
machine is not now quite 80 efiicien
Then great hopes were placed in th
accession of the Balkan States to til
side Of the Allies. The turn of event
in Poland wifi probably show them til
merits Of the other side. and altogetl
or he should be sanguine man WI
still counts on an overwhelming vi
tory for England.
. It 10 time to look facts in the fac
whether we like them or not. There
no uSs In shutting ones eyes and,
blind conceit. rushing to ones rui
G All sides, and Germany as we'll as Il
rest, have had profound lesson
/ the terrible destruction Of this colo
( sal war, and, no matter how defia
! their words. we may bs sssure that
!: their heart Of hearts, they must lol
!. for some way out. with honor II n
= with victory. VI
4 The prolongation Of this war I
NJ ono hour beyond what IL absolute
y necessary 10 . crime against God, q
3 humanity. and the Judgment Of n,
vi tral nations, and still more OF n
terity, win bs ,pruneuncsds heav