The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-06

What is the duty of America in tht present international crisis? Hundreds of conflicting opinions, coming from the leaders in every walk of life. including the Christian teachers, leave those really seeking solution as much in the dark as before the question was asked, de- clsres pr. George Eaves. in referring to the two discussions in the Sunday Age Herald by Dr. Thornwell Haynes and pr. H. M. Edmonds.
 Dr. Eaves whose son is among the Americans who have their lives on the battleields in Flanders for the allies in the cause they believed to be for the advancement of human liberty and jus tice, does not take issue with the state ments of either of the focal religious leaders, but rather asks questions bear ing on the subject which he leaves to the individual conscience and judgment of the readers.
 In letter to The Age Herald he says:
 Tt seems to some of us that our great est need today is an inspired. prophetic voice. Amid all this clamor of prepared ness debates, Wilsonian plans. Teutonic plots and rumors of plots. how cheering if only there were one word from high heaven on the duty of the hour in Amer ical We have leaders, teachers, men of God, among us. We have thousands of devoted believers. But what, in this crisis and confusion, what is the sure word of counsel? What Is the will of God? Is there thus saith the Lord?'
 DIVERGENT OPINIONS
 This question 1 ask in view of two contributions to your issue of Sunday, the one by my friend and pastor, Dr. Ed monds, the other by MT. Thornwell Haynes, president of a college and erst- while consul, the latter plainly implying that war is evil and only evil. the first frankly confessing that to fight is some times a Christian duty. These men are both accepted teachers and guides of this community, talented men who have been entrusted with far-reaching functions of moldng the minds and characters of Bir- minghams citizens and those of their children, and not Birmingham's alone.
 This disagreement is typical. Many pastors, many teachers, many who essay to be our guide. nay the whole Christian church is thus divided. We ask her, What is Americas duty at this hourT She answers not thus or so, but with hundreds of conflicting opinions. Only the other day I inquired of one of our most beloved religious leaders. His reply was, I am a pacifist. a peace-at-any price man, if you like Again l asked another equally beloved, equally influ- ential. He said, I love England; detest militaristic Prussia but we have no busi- ness mngling in their quarrels. The United States should attend strictly to their own affairs. Every nation acts for self. interest and that is our one duty, or words to that effect.
 ITO the last unnamed friend there is no essential moral difference between the nation that violated Belgium's peace and lx11 4< T fa,,1 hnr~ fx<&rr the violator. Both were acting on their several interests. To both alike there is no law so high as self-protection. As be- tween nations there is no such thing as justice but only power. Treaties do not count.
 That, be it observed, is the confessed opinion of an American Christian min ister. Apparently it is also the opinion of the President of Birmingham college In evidence thereof I am impressed with this passage in his interview of Sunday. lanenting the factCD that American newspapers are controlled by London and Paris financially and politically MT. Haynes complains that these papers are urging that we should now give the blood of our sons The interviewer asks. But you do believe a human life is of more value than a bale of cotton, do you not?' and the enigmatic answer comes, Well, I would rather own good suit of clothes than be the father of son who was fool enough to stand on a railroad track and let the train run over him..
 MEN READY TO DIE
 "To all of which I can only repeat that this gentleman is at the head of Birming- ham college caring for the souls, as we'll as the thinking apparatus, of our ideal minded and generous hearted youth! might add that l know of one dear lad who gave his life for conscience's sake in Flanders and died for democracy and hu- manity. There are many others; there will be many more.
 But what I am trying to secure is neither partisan views, broadly nor pro German, pro-Wilson nor pro-republican machine nor skin-deep pacifist, nor even pro-socialist (ah! how that sand foun- daton was engulfedD but rather an an- swer to the question, what is the church praying for? In all this woe. what does