Evening star., 1942-09-27

the collaboration of all Christendom in
the religious and moral aspects of the
new ediflce that is to be constructed"
Few will contend, in the face of con-
ditions which now afflict mankind, that
anything of permanent value was gained
by excluding the spirit of Christianity
from the last peace conference And
few will contend, in view of the hatred
and bitterness which total war inevi-
tably engenders, that the risk of repeti-
tlon OF past blunders can be safely ig-
nored today. To quote Pope Plus again:
History teaches that treaties OF peace
stipulated in a spirit and with condi-
tions opposed both to the dictates of
morality and to genuine political wis
dom have had but a wretched and short
lived existence, and so have revealed and
testified to an error OF calculation: hui
man, indeed, but fatal nonetheless.'
In his tactful, yet resolute, courageous
and continuous effort to forward a bet
ter international order, Pope Plus occu-
pies position which Is as difficult as it
is influential.
The spiritual power of the Vatican Is
worldwide, but politically it is a tiny
enclave of 109 acres. with resident
population Of about 1000 persons. Inn
INJURED in the heart of the capital of
belligerent power it is easy to understand
why every secular action taken by the
Pope, and every public word he speaks,
must be weighed by him with almost in
hibiting circumspection.
Yet Pope Plus, who was elected to his
historic Office only six months before the
outbreak of this war, has with increasing
vlgor been demonstrating that the diff
culties by which he is oppressed will not
be allowed to stultify the influence which
Is his not only as supreme pontiff, but
also as the man of outstanding integrity
and character which he so clearly is.
The non-Catholic as well as the CATH
ollc world may well be grateful that in
this period of disaster the Roman
Church is under the direction OF a spir-
ltual leader who feels his responsibility
to humanity SO deeply. Plus XII is
clearly no intimidated prisoner of the
Vatican" He may be expected to do his
utmost to avert the threatened collapse
OF that Western civilization which for
centuries owed its spiritual essence to
teachings emanating from this city
called eternal by reason of it's relation
with the living Christ rather than be-
| cause of its association with the passing
! glory of Caesar"
| So the mission of Mvron C. Taylor tn
Rome seems worthy of more public at.
| tentlon than has as yet been vouchsafed.
There is no evidence whatsoever to in
| oleate that the development presages an
| early peace, or even any specific steps
which might be regarded as pointing in
| the direction of overtures to that end.
indeed, the increasing concentration Of
the administration on the war effort
would alone indicate that its representa-
tive at the Vatican has no mandate OF
| that character.
But the conversations between tho
Pope and Mr.. Taylor do indicate that the
conditions and attitudes and policies
which should be fundamental to an
eventual and enduring settlement are
under consideration. And such consider
| alton may Of itself prove an indirect
factor OF great influence in shortening
the duration of the war.
| For total war is, almost by definition. a
war OF general morale rather than a war
of physical weapons. That is demon
strated by the inability of the Axis to
break the spirit of the nations which it
has conquered by the difficulties of the
United Nations in securing whole heart
ed support from the subject peoples OF
the Far East; by many other obvious
factors which, fortunately on the whole
| favor the cause in which this country
is engaged.
1t follows that whatever can be done
to 1ntegrate our war aims with unas-
sailable moral principles is source OF
strength for the United Nations an ac-
ton subtly yet substantially detrimental
to the power of our enemies
AS to the validity OF the Christian
principles on which Pope Plus takes un-
equivocal stand there can be no question,
So all who desire both victory and lasting
peace will be encouraged that very
able and experienced representative OF
the President is now in conference at the
| Vatican.