The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-01-08

mann eOAAeAASC VI Our Neutrality was U6-
set by grave difficulties, and these
multiplied so rapidly that if this con-
fiict be prolonged there is grave rea-
son to apprehend we ourselves may
be drawn into it. Already serious in
juries have been done us by both bel
ligerents. 1t is not necessary now to
detail them. 1t is enough to say that
at this moment we are in controversy
or correspondence with belligerent
countries on both sides over incidents
of which we have abundant reason
to complain. Now, wherever there is
a discussion or dispute between two
countries there is always danger of
conflict. And if this dreadful con-
fagration should extend to the United
States it is no exaggeration to say
that the last hope of civilization will
be dispelled and the outlook of the
human family will be desperate.
Conceive the consequences that
must ensue if seizure of our merchant
ships at sea should plunge this coun-
try into war with England. War with
Germany would be just as deplorable
from every moral point of view, and
we as citizens of the United States
would regret it, just as deeply. 1t
would, however, be impossible now to
forecast it's scope or it's result. But
war with England owing to our geo.
graphical position must Immediately
precipitate condition which civiliza-
ton could hardly survive. Every foot
of the four thousand miles constitut-
ing our Canadian frontier would at
once become theatre of conflict, and
of conflict between men of such stuff
that it would be a struggle to the
death of one or the other.
To the south of us a country now
torn by factions would no longer be
restrained in any degree by our prox-
unity or by apprehension of our
watchful vigilance. Ruin of it's indus
trial and social life would be inevi-
table. India quivering with unrest
would soon be convulsed with revolu-
ton. Between China and Japan ques-
tons now pending would be pressed
for settlement, with submission or
conquest of the weaker nation the
sole outcome. South America, the
only region which would remain capa-
BILE of furnishing munitions of war or
articles of food, would become at once
the theatre of endless intrigues re-
sulting almost inevitably in conflict.
Australia and Africa are already
plunged in this maelstrom of sword
and flame. The whole globe would be
in confagration.
No such cataclysm has ever yet
convulsed the world. The fall of the
Roman Empire, which has always
been considered the greatest disaster
that ever befell the race, affected only
the western part of Europe. The east
ern part and all Asia with it's teeming
millions, remained practically un-
moved by it. And yet the fall of Rome
very nearly entailed destruction of the
whole European populations! What
must be the outcome of cataclysm
that involved the whole globe? Where
could there be found an influence to
| stay it's ravages? Where a force to
repair them? What but universal de-
struction could follow? And this peril
actually hangs over the world now
suspended by nothing stronger than
the judgment or sense of single in
dividual. A foolish act or even a fool
sh word by some sea captain Selling
an American ship might draw us ire
trievably, instantly, into this vortex
of fury, kindling fires of destruction
that must consume the world.
Surely when civilization is suffering
! such injuries and in such imminent
| peril of destruction the supreme law
of self-defense enioins on it the EN-
! ployment of every force that it car
command for it's own preservation
Now, what agencies and resources car
civilization invoke to safeguard itself
| by ending this war and establishing a
genuine peace?
Is it possible to end this war and
establish permanent peace before ad
ditiOnal millions ara killed MANNED
and wounded in the countries which
are it's theatre before all other coun
tries are impoverished and before
Christian civilization itself is wreck.
ed? l think it u.s.
Such a peace, however, cannot be
established by force. Certainly not
by any exercise of physical force on
our part. We have already seen that
our participation in this conflict would
simply mean immediate precipitation
of the disastrous consequences which
it's prolongation renders probable. But
there remain the moral forces of
Christendom and these l believe are
powerful enough to save civilization
from the disasters already brought
upon it by the embattled military
forces Of the world, and to avert the
peril of much graver disaster with
which it is threatened.
These moral forces Our Holy Father
the pOOp who ic tbnir nonocitarv haS