Evening star., 1925-09-12
CATHOLICS URGE
SANER HISTORIES
Patriotism Taught in Schools
GIorifies War, Charities
Body Is Told.

Glorifica ton of war and excessive
nationalism in the schools were de-
cried last night by Rev. John A. Ryan
OF Catholic University. In an address
before the annual conference on Cath
Ole charities.
He urged sane viewpoint in teach
ing Of history in Catholic schools.
pointed out that a proper perspective
on history viii do much to eliminate
the intense nationalism that leads TO
war. and expressed the hope that
religious institutions of learning would
lead the way toward q more funda-
mental presentation of the actual
facts in the past of nations.
The attitude aroused some opposi-
lion from the next speaker. Chair
man T. V. O'Connor of the United
States Shipping Board. who declared
that the only safeguard against war
was an adequate preparation. espe-
ciallv in respect to merchant marine
TO transport supplies and soldiers.
Patriotism Distorted.
Patriotism" said Father Ryan.
too frequently is set forth in the
schools as Willingness TO fight and die
for ones country. War is represented
as more or less natural. normal and
inevitable. Seldom is the true doc
trine adequately set forth. that war,
effectively considered Is always
wrong since one, If not both. of the
belligerents, uses force In the support
OF Just or uncharitable demands.
Two false and fatal assumptions
are conveyed by this method of pre-
senting the subject, first. that our own
country always is in the right when
ii goes TO war. and second. that there
is no other feasible method OF de-
Tending national rights, except by
armed combat"
Mr.. O'Connor recalled the condl-
tions existing 10 1917 when the
United States was obliged to hire
foreign ships to carry her men to
France.
Rev. DR. John NJ. Cooper Of Catho-
lie University spoke on Family
Limita ton and Human Welfare" He
said that birth control always was
ethically wrong and said that the
Catholic Church always would main
tain its stand against 1t.
The apostolic delegate to the
United States. Most Rev. Peter
Fumasoni- Biondi. gave the delegates
the blessing Of the Pope and said
that the Vatican was deeply inter
ested in the progress OF charitab BILE
work in the United States
Miss Grace Abbott. chief of the
United States Children's Bureau Of
the Department of Labor. was the
chief speaker at the morning ses-
sion of the committee on sick and
detectives. She spoke of the prog
ress made by use of Federal funds
DR.. Edward A. Weiss OF Pittsburgh
spoke on provisions for conva lescent
care OF maternity patients. The dis
cussion on these papers was led by
Miss Winifred Fitzpatrick of Prov
idenCe.
Movies and Delinquency.
Motion picture problems were dis
cussed before The committee on
delinquency by Mrs. Philip c. Nc
Cormick or icago. Rev. Michael A.
Schiltz OF Moines spoke on direc-
tion of leisure time activity of BOYS.
At the meeting of the committee
on social activities in Mcmahon Hail.
Dr.. David A. McCabe Of Princeton
presided and Rev. DR.. Henry c.
Hengell OF the University of Wis
Consin spoke on public responsibility
for unemployment. The responsibility
of industry was discussed by Dr.
Thomas +. Iarkin of st. Louis Uni
versity. The discussion was opened
by DR.. Frank O'Hara. professor OF
political economy at Catholic Uni
versity
Rev. Edwin l.. Leonard OF Baltimore
presided at the meeting Of the com
mittee on families. Rev. Paul F.
Furfey OF Washington spoke on The
abit Clinic" Rev. Charles Donovan
OF Fall River. Mass: Sister NJ Otillia
of Buffalo and Sister Philomena Of
Erie. Pa. spoke on problems in
discipline.
At 1870 the committee on families
held luncheon meeting at the Hotel
Hamilton. Miss Margaret Delehantv
of Syracuse presided Miss Mary
Alma Cotter Of Boston spoke on work
with italian families and Miss Mildred
Rosiak of Baltimore on work with
Polish families.