New-York tribune., 1921-05-09
Churches Plan
Disarmament
Drive June 5
prosestanfs, Catholics and
Jews Join i'm Appeal to
10000 Clergynien Cor
Petitions TO Congressmen
For Parley of Powers
Nationwide Movement TO
Urge America to Call
International Conference

psosestants, Catholics and Jews
ssiued yesterday in an appeal sent
.stion wide for an international con-
,srence on the reduction of arma-
merts. officers of four OF che largest
organizations in the United States rep
resenting these religions signed letters
whieh were attached TO . call issued
nv the committee on reduction of
ornaments of the Church Peace Union.
The cali .Eas mailed to 100000 clergy
men.
All Of the clergymen who receive
she call are asked: First, to read it. with
the letters attached. to their congrega-
tions Sunday. June s; second, to invite
their congregations to send q resolu-
ton to their congressman urging upon
them the imperative necessity for a
conference of the leading nations" :"
sna third, to sign and return form
50 that the signatures might be added
70 petition urging President Harding
and Congress to call an international
conference on the reduction Of arrna-
ments,
The dencminationaI appeals mailed
With the call came from the Federal
Council of Churches Of Christ In
America, the National Catholic Welfare
Council, the Central Conference of
American Rabbis, and the United Syna-
gocue Of America a letter received
recently by the Church Peace Union
from General Tasker H. Bliss, formerly
chief of staff of the United States
army, prompted the movement for the
uniting of all the churches for q re-
duction Of ornaments. Part of the
letter which also accompanies the
general call, follows:
Puts Responsibility on Churches
IF the clergymen OF the United
States want to secure a limitation of
srmaments they can do it now without
any further waste of time If, on an
agreed upon date. they simultaneously
every church of every creed through
cut the United States, and conclude
their services by having their congre-
cations adopt resolution addressed to
their particular Congressman urging
upon them the necessity of having
business conference of Eve nations
upon this subject, the thing will be
done. If the churches cannot agree
upon that it will not be done until the
good God puts into them the proper
spirit of their religions. The RESPONSE
oility is entirely upon the protesting
Christians of the United States. If
another war like the last one should
eome they will be responsible for every
drop Of blood that WALL be shed and
Tor every dollar wastefully expended"
Yesterdays call precedes congress
IF all the religious agencies in Amer
ca, to be held in Chicago May II to 10,
It which William Jennings Bryan, John
Spsrgo, Jane Adams and others will
plead for the immediate calling by
america OF an international conference
On reduction OF ornaments.
The letter sent by the Federal Coun-
ell Of Churches of Christ in America,
signed by Robert e. Speer, president;
Walter r. Lambuth, chairman of the
executive committee, and Charles S.
Mcfarland, general secretary, pre-
sents the following considerations:
Urge United States Take Initiative
''First-That our government should
take the initiative in inviting an in
ternational conference to confer upon
tae question Of armaments, to which
there is abundant reason to believe
response would result; and,
"Second-That the constituent bodies
Of the Federal Council and all Chris
tian communions st their assemblies,
conferences and meetings OF execu-
live boards should take action urging
our government TO undertake this high
mission
The administrative committee of the
National Catholic Welfare Council,
composed OF Archbishop Hanna, of San
Francisco, chairman; Bishop Muldoon,
Of Rockford, vice-chairman; Arch
bishop Bowling, of St Paul; Bishop
Schrembs, of Toledo; Bishop Russell,
OF Charleston; Bishop Gibbons, of
Albany, and His Emiuence Cardinal
Dougherty, Of Philadelphia, in its gen
eral statement, sets forth its position
on the subject of disarmament. The
disarmament can be considered only
IN the light of international relations
and that it should be promoted only
on condition of an international agree
met effective and binding on the great
powers of the world.
Dr.. Elias L. Solomon, president of
the United Synagogue OF America, is-
sued the call for his organization, as
did DR.. Edward N. Calisch, president
Of the Central Conference Of Ameri-
can Rabbis.
Members of the committee on reduc~
ton Of ornaments are: Nehemiah
boynton, chairman; Henry A. Atkin-
son, Arthur J. Brown, Samuel A. Eliot,
thomas F, Gailor, Frank o. Hall,
Hamilton Holt, William /. Hull, Fred
erick Il. Knubef, Frederick Lynch,
Charles s. Macfarland, George A.
Pilmpton, Talcott Williams and Liniey
'. Gordon, secretary.
Farmers Still BLOW 0us Gas