Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-12-25
Christmas, 1899

Mankind approached Christmas
this year with sorrow deeply felt. To
many sensitive men and women it
seemed that something akin to sacri-
lege would be involved in joyful
celebration of the birthday of the
Prince of Peace. The three wars
raging abroad prompted in more
than a few American hearts a dread
of the occasional dread of the con-
tradiction which they sincerely be-
lieved that it would constitute. Every
brave ideal for a world enfranchised
from conflict had been fouted, every
hope for the development of a prac-
tical community of nations had been
condemned. The race, it appeared,
could find no solution for the prob
lens which the greed and the vio-
lence OF tyrants had created. Moth
ing remained but the hideous threat
of an ultimate, all-consuming dis
aSter
But there were two courageous
leaders who did not despair. Togeth-
err, they have made Christmas worth
celebrating in 1889. The one, speak
ing for the citizens of the United
States, has proclaimed his faith in
the power of religion to save what is
left of civilization; the other, repre-
senting as he does the greatest re-
ligious organization on earth as we'll
as the sacred traditions of his holy
office, respected for centuries, has
announced five-point program for
the liquidation of the carnage.
President Roosevelt certainly never
was more definitely inspired than
when he called for united express
sion" of common aspirations for "a
spiritual rebirth"-the rediscovery of
"some guiding principle and some
trust in divine plan" for "the re-
building of the world" He voiced
the longing of thousands of humble
people, living in scores of different
nations" for friendly association be-
tween the seekers of light and the
seekers of peace everywhere" that
''the forces of evil may be "over-
come" Specifically, he urged "a
closer association between those in
every part of the world-those in
religion and those in government
who have a common purpose" II
trust" he said in manner the rev.
erence of which cannot be doubted,
that all of the churches of the
world which believe in common God
will throw the great weight of their
influence into this great cause"
Pope Plus XII, "a good friend and
an old friend" replied Immediately.
The Christmas assembly of the cardi-
mails residing in Rome provided him
with an audience for the answer
which he desired to send to the Presi-
dent It was frank and open in
vitation to the warning nations to
submit themselves to a discussion of
concessions which, if offered and &C
cepted, would terminate the CHASTITY
strife on terms reasonable to men
of good will" The independence of
states large and small, the re-estab-
lishment of institutions of equity and
Justice for the arbitration of quarrelS
arising between governments, general
disarmament, the fulfllment of ''the
true needs" of nations and of ethnic
minorities, the solemn reaffirmation
of the sanctity of obligations-these
were the pontiff'S proposals. Rus
STA, Germany and Japan may choose
to ignore them. The price for rejec-
ton, however, would be heavy beyond
the capacity of words to tell. At
Christmas this year the conscience
of mankind is stirred to its pro-
foundest depth. If the wars go on,
it will be because Christ is Knocked
by traitors to God. These are bitter
thoughts, but they are demanded
by the horror of the prevailing spec
tacle of mass murder in time when
the prayer for peace is universal,
even among men and women who
perhaps had supposed that they had
forgotten how to pray.