Evening star., 1923-02-27
URGE us. ABANDON
'.ALOOFNESS POLICY
Council of Churches Sees
Peril to Civilization in
!: Growing Disorders.
SENDS PLEA TO HARDING
Sacrifcial Spirit Seen Effective in
Joining Hands With Other
II Nations for Comfy.

Expressing fear that the world is
drifting toward war. economic ruin
and moral disaster that may possi
bly, cause the eclipse of, civilization
fer centuries" the Federal Council
of Churches of Christ in America to-
Gay addressed a message TO the 150.-
OeO Protestant churches of thirty
communions making up its member
ship urging them to call on the gov
ernment to adopt policy Of CO.
operation with foreign nations and
take large part in international
problems.
The councils administrative COM
mittee. in issuing the appeal on the
recommendation of the organizations
commission on International JUS
tice and good will. especially urges
mat the Sovcrnmen; "renouncu the
policy Of alootneSS in international
affairs" and take the initiative in
calling an international conference to
consider the whole economic and DO
litical situation in Europe. including
reparationS. debts and armaments." 1t
also advocates that the United States
record "a definite protest against any
settlement of the near eastern ques-
lion on a basis of eXpediency or COM
mercial advantage, and without some
amends for tragic wrongs which have
resulted in the persecution and prac-
fical destruction of the Armenian
people and the confiScation of their
property.
Would Make Concessions.
The message insists that the ques-
ton OF debts be included for discus
sion at the economic conference il
proposes. expressing the opinion that.
the United States should declare. ''aS
1t did at the opening of the confer
ence on the reduction of armament.
thai we are ready to make. in COM
mon with other nations. whatever
concession. financial or otherwise.
may bc necessary to bring about an
ordered International life 1t also
urges that ''in any further confer
encc on near east problems our gov
eminent should give tull power to its
delegates in all matters in which the
rights OF humanity are at stake. and
should share with the allied powers
the responsibility for reaching con-
clusions based upon Righteousness and
justice.
"If the Lausanne conference is not
renewed. says the appeal. I'VE be-
levc that our government should CO.
operate and. if necessary. take the
initiative in the appointment of an
+. international commission which would
deal with the whole subject of the
refugee and sorphan problems in the
near east. and that it should offer To
bear its share in providing whatever
may be nesessary financially to estab-
lish these people in some place of
safety and opportunity.
Fear of Greater Disaster.
The message. copies of which have
been addressed to President Harding.
Secretary Hughes and members Of
Congress- declares:
"Growing unrest. political intrigueS.
physical distress and suffering. dis
ordered economic life. increasing dis
trust. suSpicions and hatredS. all point
to great disaster The failure
OF diplomatic and financial efforts to
bring about satisfactory settlement
constitutes Il direct challenge to the
Christian Church.
wv c. believe that the United States
should accept its full share of re-
sponsbility for bringing about an cf-
fcctiNc settlement of international
problems. There are those who think
tho government has a mandate from
the people to pursue Il policy of aloof-
ness. We do not thus understand the
situation. The churches have de-
c1arcd. and must declare again. their
conviction that generous cooperation
among the nations is absolutely nee
essary to cope with the present hun
ger. strife, uncertainty and despair of
the world The participation of the
United States is indiSpenSab to sue
tude of aloofneSS exposes our foreign
policy to the charge of timidity and
ineffectiveneSS.
In calling an economic conference.
the statement expresses conviction
that Il sacrificial spirit on our part
would evoke Willingness III other
nations also to make the adjustments
that may be needed" Our plans for
reconstruction. it continues. should
include not only our allies. but our
former encmieSS Bankers. economists
and business men are telling us that
only the establishment of normal
economic conditions in Europe can
bring prosperity to American agricul-
ture and industry What they declare
necessary on the basis of enlightened
self interest, we declare necessary
also from the standpoint of the
christian ideal Of brotherhood. The
wel1eins of our own nation is in
scparably bound up with an unseliish
consideration of the weilbeing of the
other nations of the world"