New-York tribune., 1918-03-03

connect the present war or any
other war Of violence with the
spread Of anti-Christian or rationalistic
views respecting the universe and the
destiny Of man appears to assume that
Christianity has always been opposed to
war and its brutaiizing consequences; but
history shows such a claim to be utterly
groundless, according to an article on
"NIetzsche, Theology and the War in
The University Magazine which con-
tains the following paragraphs:
THE argument can be turnea against
the record of Christianity. Tho christian
churches have not only not restrained their
followers from war, but have actually pro-
noted in their own interests ,nternecine
strife. They have taken bat alieht stock OF
the reported utterance O. their Master: NV
Kingdom Is not of this world, else would my
servants fight Nor have religious wars been
remarkable for their mildncss ThF Thirty
Years War put back the civilization of Ger
many probably one hundred years; il is cal
cuated that the population Of Bohemia was
reduced by two-thirds; the war was conduct
ed with all the brutality and denominations
of pagan times. The records of papal var
fare are stained by worse outrages than we're
educated
tcers of the Roman legons Christianity has
again and again been freshly 'consecrated' by
the sword. Non-German Christians have con.
venient memories in these matters at the
present time.
This is exactly one of the plants Of our
enemies. We seeking to do say thew
merely what France England, and we must
add Austria, did in the last few centuries
hey appealed to the right Of the sword and
the various branches OF the Christian Church
the English bishops included. were singular
ly unanimous in accommodating their orin-
cirles to an imperialist warfare ~ is very
ridiculous of you to discover says the ag-
glleved Teuton, now that you have attained
all you want that my impcrialistic aggres-
s'on is supremely opposed to Christian prin-
oirles.' So far the history o. The churches
goes. The Teutonic position is well founded
md receives fresh illustration from the moral
support extended by the clergy Of Germany
TO the crueties OF militarism.
ITO there appears to have been too
much ethcizing from tho group standpoint
regarding both the causes and motives of
the present war, and this has tended ia
overhasty analyses and laci. OF historical
perspective. Tho fact Of there beiug great
moral difference, according to which side is
victorious, undoubtedly reacts On our iuder-
nlents respecting the genesis ~ the war. of
winch one Of the main causes wa5 the dis
-urbance Of he b,an>e Of power in the
Balkans. But it leads only 20 confusion and
not TO clear understanding 10 identity
he results with the human motives behind
the struggle. IN emotiona! ethical stand
point has been given up by scientific his
torlan5 and by mary others a the interpre-
taton of past evonts, Il IS difficult to do this
IN the case Of contemporary events. because
these interesg rs 20 leen.; Icy almost IN
tvtablE cal zortn ethical Judgments and
the practical a.tituse which frequently is
the source Of error in the attempt TO under
stand the causation O. phenomena.
The war seems - us 2 gigantic struggle
Of conflicting natona. .ateres Is, resulting
from and involving erea5 complexity Of
factors, economic, racal and moral. in which
Christian ideals have ampcrariy. at least
gone down. With winch il m.sht be SAID. and
las been said, even ~ orthodox defenders
these ideals have no,a.ng to do Indeed
Christianity is tending 70 be dissolved into
what it once was before group of national
religions, so that keen minded Oriental has
pertinently inquired whether European civli-
cation IS rot reverting to polytheisrn."