Milford chronicle., 1948-05-28
STRATEGY FOR
WORLD PEACE
Continued From Page


ative increased sharing and sacri-
flee to an extent not yet cOntem-
plated by our citizens. The real
enemies to be overcome are hung
er, poverty, desperation, and chaos.
Al large section of the American
people have thus far failed to align
themselves with the suffering of
others. The challenge of the emer-
gency is for Christians to make the
essential sacrifices that all man
kind may share in the human dig
nifty that we cherish for ourselves.
1t would be far wiser to utilize a
large proportion of the American
budget for such needs rather than
to dissipate it in military re-arma-
ment."
The complete texts of the re-
ports on principles and strategy
follow:
Concerned about the serious drift /
towards war, more than 125 indi-
viduals from IL Protestant denom-
nations and 90 states met in Wash /
ington. d. c., on April 6 and z,
194S. to consider programs of ac-
ton to avert war and re-yitallze
the will to peace.
We are convinced that Chris
tions have a responsibility to
arouse and to guide the conscience
of the community and that the
church has a positive message or
courage and hope for the current
hour. We face a serious world SIT
uation intensified by the present
fears of the American people and
complicated by the lack of accu-
rate information, due partly to a
veil of secrecy which exists even
in this country. We believe that
war need not be either imminent or
inevitable. Among the steps we
urge are the following:
4. Avert War. We call upon
our national leaders to cease the
effort to put the United States on
a wartime basis. We recognize
the menace of totalitarianism-
communism or fascism-to a dem
ocratic way of life. We are con-
yinced that the method OF dealing
with such ideas is not by resort to
armed force but by the strength
ening of social and political demo-
cracy, safeguarded by internation-
al law. 1t is our conviction that, as
a nation, we have failed to take al
possible steps to avert war, to
strengthen democracy at home and
abroad. and to build world peace
Q. Restore Civilian Leadership
TO this end of averting war. we
want the policy-making powers OF
government Immediately restored
to civilian leadership in fact, sc
that the important American ira
dition of the supremacy of civilian
control over the military Will Of
maintained, and the United States
will not needlessly be alerted K
var measures. We do not question
the patriotism of the military me1
of the nation, but their groWlnt
dominance in our national govern
ment is a serious threat to the Da
sic spirit of democracy.
3. Defeat SelectiVe Service AM
Universal Military Training. Arm
ament races in the past have no
prevented war and give no assur
ance that they will prevent war
in the future. We call for the de
feat of Selective Service and Un'
gersal Military Training legisls
tion which will be viewed at. HON
and abroad as a beginning OF me
Utilization for war. For mtl1taT
manpower it is our conviction ths
the military authorities can devils
means of recruiting volunteer
without departing from democrat
traditions of freedom.
4. Peace Through the DeVelOl
ment of the United Nations. We b'
lieve the foreign policy of the Un
ted States should be based upo
the determination to achieve pea'
through developing the United N;
tiOns rather than upon unilater
diplomacy based upon national mi
itary might. World peace demand
that nations limit national sove
eignity in a world system und
law. We believe, therefore, tn
American policy should have
it's objective the patient, persis
ent development of the United n
tiOns in the direction of some for
of World Government.
5. Continue Negotiation. '
urge the continuance of the poll
of sincere and patient negotiate
without threat of military for,
We urge that negotiations WI
Russia be kept open on the init
tive of our government, and tt
this be a continuing process.
tons both governmental and M
governmental groups and urge Il
we make fresh start on the hit
est levels to resolve conflict.
6. United States Leadership
Worldwide Disarmament Unt
Law. We call for the bold lead
ship of the United States in p
noting plans for world disarn
ment through Strengthening
United Nations, including
worldwide abolition of peaceti
compulsory military training.
tions must transfer sovereign C
troll of ornaments to the Uni
Nations, including inspection,
forcement on individuals, and
equate funds for control.
Z. Control Atomic Energy.
urge fresh efforts to find bf
for the control of atomic enc
under the United Nations. We
fully aware of the ultimate inn
cations of failure to resolve
issue, We believe that this con
can and must be established W
out injury to the internal eco
mics of participating nations.
civilian control of atomic enc
in our domestic economy she
be continued and further sire