Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-27
Pleads for Irish Aid
For Britoin's King
Reader Tells How George VI
Defends the Faith
Most Deer to Fire

MOST Oe0T 10 EiTe
TO the Editor Of The Star:
A mastery defense Of the dogmas OF
the church by an English sovereign IN
the year 1921 moved Pope Leo x to
confer upon the King the title De-
fender of the Faith" That King was
Henry VIII, and though no English
King since has borne the name Henry,
his successors without exception have
retained and used the title Defender
of the Faith" and today the reigning
monarch, George vi, proclaims him.
self Defender of the Faith" To me
that fact stands out as one of the most
astounding realities OF the chaotic state
in which the world, today finds itself.
George VI, by Grace of God, King,
Defender of the Faith!" Let us ponder
a moment on the import Of those words.
"By grace of God" That view as an
admission, not boast. 1t is, as 1t were,
an explanation that there were circum-
stances which brought about his Access
sion over which he, the King himself,
had no control, but which, by Divine
Providence, fell to his lot. We in the
United States have a leaning toward
the same premise in that we feel that
great emergencies have produced, some
how or other (and so why not by Divine
proyidenceO a man to meet the emer-
eency. as witness the thought as to
washington, Lincoln, and in our day,
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Yes, there Is
some basis for the claim of Divine Right.
and with regard to George vi the words
"by grace of God" appear not to De
empty and meaningless.
Coming to the throne apparently
through pure happenstance, and rated
upon his accession, at least by those who
had had no opportunity to know him,
as a man of uncertain ability, either ne
is growing with his responsibilities,
matching the most fiendish and BAR
barous assaults with courage and 1oru-
tude. and inspiring his nation and other
nations to emulate the example, or ne
is in fact a leader "by grace OF God,
and will 20 forward with supernatural
aid George vi, defender Of the faith.
When Pope Leo bestowed that title
England was Roman Catholic, as was
Henry VIII. Henry, Of greater educa-
ton probably than any Of his predeces-
sors rose to the defense OF the church
in a manner most unusual for King
of that or earlier periods. He chose 70
battle, not at the head of any army OF
soldiers but as q scholar, relying upon
the force of words, the force OF mino;
an early effort to prove the pen mighaer
than the sword. The Pope was pleased,
and recognizing the King as cham
MON of the church, conferred the honor
in the form of the title Defender of the
Faith" The title was honestly earned,
and though Henry and Pope Clement
VII later disagreed fundamentally, hav-
ing spoken the truth, his successor Glenn
ent could not, and so would not recall
the honor. Is it possible that the con-
ferring of that title was prophetic? SO
II would seem. Today Pope Plus XII,
spiritual leader Of over 330,000,0OO
Roman Catholics, but with temporal
power over but a scant 100 acres, hnds
George vi and his nation standing un-
finchingly between him and the most
goddess combination of cut-throats ever
living at one time in all history. The
English King is The only remaining
King, and the British Empire Is the
only remaining European nation able.
ready and willing to meet the attack.
That is not saying that the Austrian,
Czecho-Slovak. Polish, French, Norwe-
gian. Danish, Dutch, Belgian and Greek
peoples, and the people of Luxembourg,
are not in every sense champions OF
religion as we know it. The world knows
that they are, and in large part that is
why they are 50 shamefully treated after
being overrun. But they, though ready
and willing, are no longer able, and
George VI and the English people are
battling for all, defenders OF the faith.
Despite the fact that others have suf-
fered the loss of both national and re-
ngious freedom, one of the most typically
Catholic and freedom-loving peoples are
today contributing nightly toward
their own ruin. The Irish fight for free
dom was a fight for religious freedom
as well as for national independence.
Had it not been it is unlikely that in
dependence Of the nation would have
been accomplished. The dictators know
that if they can destroy the religion OF
the conquered people the task Of totally
destroying them will be much easier.
But Fire, having attained religious free
dom and considerably more national
and economic freedom than many So
called independent nations, is faced
with the prospect of losing both. Appar-
emily she refuses to see that she can
defend neither her religious freedom
nor her national independence alone.
1t Is to be doubted that any other nation
in the world even including our own
United States, would challenge fate by
standing singly and alone and refuse to
accept aid, or to give it, as Fire is doing.
Her leaders seem to feel that 1t will be
better for the Irish to pour out their
blood as martyrs for their faith, if blood
must be shed, rather than on the battle
field Of faith and home. They say that
they propose to defend their shores
against any aggressor, but is that not
idle talk, hardly to be compared with
wishful thinking?
The Irish can help In the defense Of
their nation and their faith and with