Evening star., 1941-10-04

subject has been touched on occa-
sionally in governmental discussions.
1t has been more or less taboo as a
delicate and ticklish problem.
The moment, however, that Stain
turned on Hitler and the question
Of American aid to Moscow became
important, it was inevitable that
Americans generally would ask how
the United States could assist a
government which had been denying
freedom Of worship. That weak
ness in the Presidents strategy was
bound sooner or later to be made
the most of by opponents Of his
foreign policy.
It, therefore, is not surprising that
Mr.. Roosevelt tackled the subject
and, although he did 1t rather casu-
ally at a press conference, it is ap-
parent now that he was not averse
to having the matter widely dis
cussed. For undoubtedly reports
of American discussion Will reach
Russia and it is not unlikely that
already the hands of w. AVerlll
Hartman, American commissioner,
have been strengthened by the wide
spread interest being revealed in the
nature of the guarantees OF religious
freedom which may emanate from
the Kremlin hereafter.
Nav Be Pointed Remark.
It is true that freedom of Wor-
ship, stipulated in the Russian con-
stitution, has not been granted and
1t may we'll be that Mr. Roosevelt
quoted the Russian constitution as
much to draw the attention of the
Moscow authorities to the unfulfllled
clauses as to persuade his hearers
that some progress had been made
since the days when the atrocities
against religious worship first oc-
CURED.
There are, of course, many persons
In America today loudly declaiming
on the subject of religious freedom
In Russia as an obstacle to Amer
lean cooperation who would not
really be any more interested in
military cooperation even If COM
plete religious freedom were granted.
These are persons who have other
grudes against Russia, not the least
of which is her communistic ideol-
ogy. The President has not been
too successful in ridding this coun-
try of Communists and it is not
likely that he can take on the mat
ter Of ridding Russia Of a philosophy
that is abhorrent to the defenders
OF the private initiative and demo-
cratic system. But, assuming that
Russia can be persuaded to keep
her communistic propaganda with
in her own borders, as she once
promised but never carried out, the
United States is deeply interested
In the matter of freedom of wor-
ship. A Republican President, Will
liam Howard Taft, went so far as to-
recommend abrogation of a treaty
with Russia when passports of
American citizens Of a particular
religious faith were not recognized
by the Cars regime.
American policy traditionally has
been to express concern at all times
over the freedom of the individual
end now that a substantial part of
Americas industrial production is
to be furnished Russia to enable her
to carry on the war against Hitler,
1t Is natural that a public opinion
should arise in this country looking
toward favorable treatment for all
religionists in Russia hereafter.
Aware of Hapdicaps.
President Roosevelt and Prime
Minister Churchill are we'll aware
of these handicaps in their policy of
helping Russia, so it is natural to
expect that the Russian ruler will
find it desirable to become co-opera-
tive on that point. 1t also may
happen that as the exigencies of the
war crowd in on the Russian au-
thorities, they will find that the
democratic states are not as hostile
to them as they have been led to
believe, and Russia may move fur
ther toward democracy and away
from dictatorship than heretofore.
Whenever vast armies are put under
arms. power starts to be distributed
so that popular movements soon
begin to assert themselves.
It may be a forelorn hope to
expect change inside Russia or in
Stains attitude but it is not wise
to cramp that effort by condemna-
ton at the outset. Reconciliation
cannot be attained by adamant op-
position on such an issue. Msgr.
Edmund A. Walsh, vice president of
JFDI sCbbNll II OIIlNtlNllN anu n 1tdu-
ing authority on Catholic affairs
In relation to Russia, has minced
no words in his recitation of the
facts concerning denial of religious
freedom. But at the same time he
comes forth in true Christian spirit
to suggest that President Roosevelt
use his unexampled opportunity
today to bring about a recognition
by Russia of freedom of religion.
This. the President has set out to
do and he has let it be known
officially that his efforts constitute
an entering wedge" to what the
world expects and desires from
Russia-freedom of worship as we'll
as the other freedoms for the in
dividual which make worthwhile the
sacrifices being asked in behalf of
the democratic cause.