Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-11
WHAT EUROPE REALLY NEEDS


TN HE state of the European nations since
the close of the World War is the sub
iect of constant discussion in maya
zines, newspapers, books, and pulpits.
All sorts Of remedies have been proposed
for the relief of these conditions, and some of
these offered have been tried without much
success.
A treaty of peace was framed, with
League of Nations annexed to it; but it fell
short of securing a warless and restored
world. The senate of the United States re-
fused to approve it, and Mussolini, of Italy
treated 1t with defiant Indifference when it
stood in the way of his malign purposes to-
ward Greece.
Evidently treaties of peace, like all other
treaties, are mere scraps of paper when an
ambitious man chooses to violate them and
feels able to do what he wishes to do with
them. Germany's insolent course in 1914
and Mussolini's arrogant conduct in 1923
show how weak and worthless are treaties
when powerful nation desires to break
them.
Our country has tried various schemes Of
relief for war-worn and poverty-stricken Eu-
rope. Funds running up into hundreds of
millions have been expended on efforts to
feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter
the houseless and heal the sick. In addition
to appropriations made by the federal gov
thropic boards and societies have expended
very large sums on efforts of relief for Eu-
ropean sufferers. All these efforts have been
quite praiseworthy and they do honor to the
American people. But it must be confessed
that they have not accomplishments a great
deal what was desired and intended. They
have engendered widespread and inexcusable
mendicancy in some European countries.
Multitudes of people in those lands prefer to
wait on aims from the United States than to
work for themselves. And in our own coun-
try some boards and relief societies are lin
gering superfluous on the stage after the ne
cessity which gave rise to them has nearly,
or quite, ceased. Expensive secretaries,
treasurers, and "drivers,' engaged by these
boards and societies, do not know how to
quit and go to other work 1t is difficult to
wean them from their sweet and easy suck
ing Of sustenance from the kfnd-hearted
public.
All these relief schemes, as we'll as
treaties, have not ayailed to restore peace
and prosperity to Europe.
More recently wise men have begun look
ing to spiritual forces as the only effectual
remedy for the woes of wounded world,
and the only certain cure for the ills. OF
Europe especially.
In a brief article published few weeks
ago in the Atlantic Monthly, exPresident
Wilson directed attention to religion as the
supreme n66Q OI the uOuT. some months
before the publication of Mr.. Wilson's article,
Mr.. Lloyd George spoke most pointedly and
clearly to the same purpose, insisting that
the only hope of mankind was in a return to
God.
Editors of both secular and religious peri
odicals have proclaimed the same great truth
again and again.
Now comes Mr.. Roger w. Babson, the sta
tistician, saying the same thing in a most
striking and emphatic utterance. He says:
What Europe really needs is some honest
to-goodness religion. We shall see real
and lasting prosperity until Europe gets
headed in the right direction.
Some real religion will lead to a real
League of Nations; and when such religion
is evident, Europe will find all parties in this
country ready to help form such a league.
Europe today is hotbed of jealousy selfish
ness and political intrigue. Only the
hearts of both the people and the leaders Of
Europe softened will the tangle be
Strengthened out. 1t may take another war
with all it's gruesOmeness and suffering to
bring Europe to her knees. We all hope it
will not but In addition to hoping, /let us
pray not only for Europe, but for ourselves
also that we may be honest and unselfsh
remembering that we have responsibilities
as well as opportunities, and that no country
can permanently prosper through the misfor-
tune of another" Mr.. Babson speaks words
of truth and Soberness.