Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-29

and to perceive the dangers which
can befall the peace of the world If
men who believe in God divide their
counsels or their energies and fail
to see that all must have common
purpose.
Though obviously referring to the
Soviet attitude, nowhere in the
whole exchange is Russia men
toned. The two messages employ
the implicit rather than explicit
style. Thus President Truman artic-
ulated a great principle of Christian
philosophy when he wrote:
THE times demand faith that Is
strong enough to struggle If need be
for the right, that is able to endure
troubles and hardships, attack and
even contempt from forces OF evil
and able to arise reborn and revival
ICED from the daily struggle"
U. s. Ready to Defend Self.
This does not mean that America
Is thinking of war but it does mean
she will not shirk from defense If
attacked. This does mean, on the
other hand, that America is not 60
ing to be provoked into war by nasty
propaganda or the spread of lies
concerning American purposes.
The Pope rightly places great re-
lance on moral force when he says
in reply to Mr.. Truman:
Truth has lost none of its power
to rally to its cause the most en-
lightened minds and noblest spirits
Their ardor is fed by the flame of
righteous freedom struggling to
break through injustice and lying.
But those VINO possess the truth
must be conscientious to define it
clearly when its foes cleverly distort
It; bold to defend it and generous
enough to set the course of their
lives both national and personal by
its dictates"
Undismayed by Attacks.
The Pope speaks also of the
fragile structure of peace" today
and breatheS the courageous spirit
of Church undismayed by Rus
sian attacks. He says:
Tier (the Church's) divinely-
given mission often brings her into
conflict with the powers of evil
whose sole strength is in their
physical force and brutalized spirit
and her leaders are sent into exile
or cast into prison or die under
torture. This is history of today but
the Church is unafraid. She can
nots compromise with an avoWed
enemy of God"
The recent news of prosecutions
of Catholic priests in the countries
under Communist domination has
Undoubtedly furnished the back
ground for this frank expression by
the Pope.
Talented Statesman.
Pope Plus XII is perhaps the most
talented statesman of all the Popes
of history. His brilliant mind and
knowledge of European diplomacy
are among the reasons why the late
President Roosevelt sent special
envoy to Rome to keep in touch with
what the Vatican was doing in the
realm of moral force. Such con-
tact is more than ever important.
For the Catholic population of
Europe is large in all countries
where the Communists are making
inroads and can be most helpful
ally in the application of moral
force to the problems that face
Europe.
To bring the Vatican and the
American policy abroad close to-
gether through constant exchange
of information is to serve notice on
Soviet Russia that the democracies
feel they are compelled by a right
eous cause and that these moral
forces intend to work together for
peace by understanding and by the
application of Christian principles.
It may, seem to some cynical OBJ
servers a wasteful effort but it must
be tried so the whole world will be
convinced of the sincerity of pur-
pose behind the American program.
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