Evening star., 1916-12-10
BRYAN WOULD HAVE
CHURCH WIN PEACE
Ex-Representative Bartholdt
Gives Endorsement to Pro-
posaI to Send Delegation.
Ex-SECRETARY AS LEADER
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ST, LOUIS, December 9-A new peace
movement was before the federal coun-
Gil Of the Churches of Christ tonight in
the shape of suggestions from William
Jennings Bryan and former Represent
ative Richard Bartholdt Of st. Louis
that the churches Of America send a
delegation to Europe in an effort to end
the war.
Mr.. Bryan launched the suggestion
and Mr.. Bartholdt indorsed it. adding
that Mr.. Bryan should be sent as head
Of the delegation. The council has not
yet acted on the plan.
The publicity committee of the coun-
ell, 1t was announced tonight, plans a
nationwide publicity campaign to ad-
vertise the churches. A bureau to
handle news and advertising Is planned.
The committee reported that 1t would
study systematically the matter of pro-
noting church interests through paid
newspaper advertising and expected 10
show the value of such advertising to
religious effort.
"No Time Inopportune."
In his address Mr.. Bryan said the
American government should tender
its good Offices in bringing about peace,
but that If. the government would not
do 90. the churches should.
mo time." said Mr.. Bryan. "is inop-
perfume for such tenders" He con-
tinued:
IF this plan to call upon the churches
Of Europe is thought good, recon- :
mend that we invite our Catholic and
Jewish brethren to cooperate.
Il believe it would be good thing
ah "a
churches to all the capitals of Europe
to show them the philosophy of love.
Eject on Warning Nations.
IF the doctrine of love that Christ
teaches can regenerate the individual
DO that the stagnant pool of his soul
can be changed into a bubbling spring.
10 1t not worth while for the churches
to try it on the warning nations?
TT our government cannot bring
about peace, then let the churches try.
Let these committees that go to the
warning capitals of Europe take boun-
teous gifts with them that may be
distributed among the sorrowful and
them in this manner. II the churches
will take the lead in this way. 1t may
be the means Of stopping the war. and
that would be one of the greatest
achievements in history.
Statistics Of Marital Relations.
The divorce courts, as busy as they
are, reveal but a small proportion of the
marital infelicity in this country. says
the Commission on Family Life. which
reported at today's session. The report
Included statistics and discussions OF
many phases Of the complex problems OF
marital relations.
Az to divorce 1t says: eat this moment
Il IL thought that one marriage in ten is
broken by divorce, and that in some
states the proportion may be as high as
one in four"
.Yt 10 a striking fact" the commission
says. that in the majority OF divorce
cases dissolution Of marriage has occur
red. not hastily after brief trial, but
deliberately after a considerable period
and one-han years Common observation
viii show frequency Of divorce among
people who have been married twenty
years or more
Eject Of Industrial Conditions.
'.The commission believes that the en-
trance Of women into the Industrial field
plays an important part in the increase
Of divorces. It deplores the fact that
unfortunately the larger part Of human
fly in America, az elsewhere. are strange
ers to the lofty views which the church
entertains Of marriage. When We are
seeking, therefore. remedies for the evils
Of our lax marriage and divorce pracuceS
our ultimate and most effective method
will be found in such instruction as the
churches may give to their adherents.
supplemented by such work as the edu-
cational institutions Of the country may
be induced to undertake This tnstruc-
ton viii bear upon the ideals OF marriage
It viii teach that marriage Is not con-
trncted as a mere convenience and Tor
prudential reasons, that II Is not even
primarily intended solely for the personal
happiness to those who contract It,. put
that It Is indispensable to the proper hll-
ing out Of the life Of human beings. that
Il il one Of the most effective methods OF
developing character. and that the preser-
walton Of the integrity OF marriage ana OF
only process by which truly divine order
for society can be maintained
NO legislation, however sagaclousiy
framed. can ever effect a complete cure
preventive measures as give promise OF
diminishing the evils which are now SO
abundant will commend themselves 70
thoughtful persons. Tho fact that In
common law marriages. in which
man and a woman take each other for
husband and wife without the services Of
q civil officer or clergyman and fire.
Quently without any witnesses. are recog-
nixed as valid. calls for serious condem-
nation, and no reform is more needed than
LEGISLATION declaring such unions to be
null and void everywhere In the United
States"
Labor and Liquor Question.
Tho attitude Of the great 'abor orsani-
zations Of this country on the liquor
question must soon be decided. according
TO the commission on temperance Of the
federal council. In its report the COM
mission speaks Of ga big fight in the
labor federation coming soon" 1t says
There Is no doubt that, in the near
future. the entire question will be dis
cussed by the American Federation of
Labor. Such pressure is being brought to
hear by the liquor interests that the
federation must decide definitely where
It stands. This will result in the bitterest
Tight that has ever taken place at any
convention Of the federation. Because OF
this. II is supremely important that a
campaign Of education be engaged in (by
the churches). which will not only furnish
material for those who must make this
dght on the floor Of the convention, but
for the benefit OF the rank and file OF