The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-13
AMERICA IN EUROPE.
Bishop Jr in ashvile Christian Advocate

the factors in the purpose Of God in
the proper development of our
national life. but the time came when
the policy of isolation could no longer
be maintained without reputation
Of our national honor and ideals. Our /
people did not rush into the great
war; no political party. no politician.
no ambitious demagogue, no Ameri- !
can statesman led us into the war.
The war once fairly launched by the
Prussian Junkers-''the road hogs of
Europe"-our participation became
only a matter of time. In conflict
between the principles of Brute Force
and Human Rights permanent isola-
ton was impossible Participation
awaited only the full clear develop
ment of the underlying principles
of the conflict. The conduct of the
Prussian war lords was SO brutal and
constituencies that it was incredible
at first. Our people required shock
after shock when conviction came
and President Wilson declared that
the world must be made safe for de-
m ocracy, his words were echoed with
sincerity from one end of our Land to
the other and our history. our ideals,
our aims as nation forced the
United States out of her isolation into
the European war.
Our American army STANDS IN
Europe to-day, not as an army OF
conquest, but as an army fighting FOR
righteousness sake The President Oh
the United States and the other repre-
sentatives of America AT the IeaSe
Conference have not come asking for
indemnities nor seeking lerftofiai
aggrandzemeni Every nation of the
Nd
recognizes why America is in Europe
why her representatives are at the
ICouncil Table. Indeed. practically
every other nation is earnestly re
uuesting the United States TO assume
protectorates and to take control OF
important territory.
Americas Duy.
What is the duty OF the oil1t'N
States? 1t IS possible for hef 10
turn to her former position OF asoia
ton? Having entered the conf'lee iol
the mainteinancse of righteousness ~
the earth, can she now "ilho'a ii"
herself from further participation III
the struggles of the people to secure
for themselves the hard-won fruits
Iof four wears of bloody hatlie
Writing after the most earnest ana
careful reflection. | have become con
WINGED that God has developed
America. and that she has come INTO
the Kingdom for such time as
this" And to. summarize orlehF
there are three opportunities fof
America in Europe, and genuine OPP
iportunity always brings with 1t cor
responding obligation.
First America Is under obligation
to render material aid 10 the nuns
cold. destitute. homeless people Oh "i'
war devastated countries OF si''s1' 's'"'
Northern Italy. Serbia, Rumanla'
Poland, Czecho SlovakIa' kuSsfa aP-
peal most strongly for help
The needs of northern France ana
Relgium. while still very great, can
he more easily supph'a' "a. lf'f''4
and Austria. while deserving OF
punishment, still claim our attention
las a suffering part of our common
humanity President Wilson's call
for a hundred million dollars to re
lieye the suffering. 10 feed the starry
ing. to prevent the death OF young
children was. the voice of the true
sentiment of America which fu1iN
realizes her obligation 10 give out
of her abundance 10 those who nave
need From those "ho have much.
much will be required IN every
country of Europe especially among
J the poor anu StIitt ms ht'N ita'afN
America is ~ ointment poured fourth.
Nothing has been more gratifying
! than what have. seen and heard in
these European lands concerning
their feeling for our beloved country.
II was greatly surprised that this eau
of the Presidents for an appropria-
ton of a hundred million dollars TO
relieve great suffering and save
thousands Of lives should have been
made the occasion for political at
ltacks in the Senate of the nited
States. Americans in Europe, VINO
know conditions. fully recognize that
| the request of the President was in
accord, not only with broad
humanity, hut with q wise states
manship. America must show her
genuine brotherhood in Europe by
ministering to the material wants of
the deserving needy.
Second. do not think that
| America can ever again assume hel
position of isolation in the aHalfs o.
1.-THE world. Having spent many oi
| lions of dollars. and thousands on he'
sons having laid down their lives IN
! the war, she must now CONSIDER with
! great care her part, not only IN the
| maintenance, but in the further ae
velopment of the fundamental rights
|
world II il is necessary for portion
Of our army to remain in Europe unui
the conditions of Just peace have
| been finally agreed upon. our people
should be willing TO make that sacrt-
| flee If it is necessary in order TO Sc
! cure peace and freedom TO the people
| of Armenia Mesopotmaia, Palestine
| or of any other country that the
United States assume protectorate
over such country that question
| should be considered in the light of
| the new relation which the United
States has assumed to the world. We
cannot refuse to accept such re-
sponsibility simply because we have
never done so in the past. We had
never before engaged in European
war. but having been obliged to enter
into that war we must be prepared
to accept the consequences of that
action. If our entrance into the war
was an unselfsh act; if we spent our
billions: If our men sacrificed their
lives for the sake of Righteousness
and human freedom, We cannot refuse
this call of duty because ii may involve
the sacrifice of money and men God
t..