Evening star., 1949-06-05
Methodist Resolution
Asks Full Study Of
North Atlantic Pact
By Cospor Names
Nv a Stor StoH corrsspondsnf

/ by Stor StaH Correspondent
WESTMINSTER, Md, June 4.
"A resolution urging Methodists
to study arguments for and
against the North Atlantic Pact
was passed by the Baltimore An
nual Conference today after the
meeting wrangled for nearly two
houue over the issue.
The debate came on a section Of
a report by a commission on
world peace submitted to the $50
clerical and lay delegates attend
ing the 165th session of the con-
ference at Western Maryland COL
lege.
A motion to delete the entire
section was brought in by pro-
ponents Of the Atlantic Pact, who
charged the questions raised were
"slanted" and loaded" in favor
Of those opposing the pact.
Questions Raised in Repsrt "
Some Of : the questions In the
report were "'Would not general
security pact. aimed at no par
ticular nation, be better than a
regioual pact. rnanifestly directed
against one nation and hence fur
ther dividing the world into two
armed camps? Will not resources
be diverted to ornaments that
should aid economic recovery?
Judge Charles w. Woodward Of
Rockville. Md, told the, delegates
These questions are framed to
put doubt into everybody's mind
about the North Atlantic Pact.
I am in favor Of striking out this
paragraph and substituting the
statement IA Methodist bishops
recently made"
(Fourteen Methodist bishops
issued a statement on May 13
saying in part, 1--WE feel that
the influence of the church
should always be on the side of
every effort which seeks to re-
move animosities and to pre-
serve freedom. We, therefore,
support the Atlantic Pact with
the necessary controls for its
promotion of peace because, in
our opinion, 1t will help to ad-
vance and protect the ideals
for which our Nation poured
out life and treasure in two
world conflicts"
Bishop Charles Wesley Flint
of Washington was one of the
signers of the statement.)
Judge Woodward was supported
by the Rev. J. E. Kemp Horn of
Baltimore, who declared These
questions are loaded in favor of
all the negatives rather than the
affirmative"
Substitute Paragraph Offered.
The Rev. Orris G. Robinson,
pastor of Calvary Methodist
Church, Washington, asserted,
II am a bit amazed that the men
who spoke are afraid to have
questions asked about the Allan
tic Pact"
The conference finally voted to
delete the paragraph in favor of
a substitute submitted by the Rev.
E. c. Riggin of Baltimore. 1t
states. I'VE urge our people to con-
slider carefully such arguments for
and against the pact in an honest
endeavor to arrive at Christian
position"
A brief debate took place over
a section In the same report call
ing for an end of the Selective
Service Act when it expires June
80. 1850. and asserting events
have proved the law to have been
quite unnecessary"
These first two sentences, at the
suggestion of Judge Francis r.
Bailey Of Baltimore, were changed
to read I'VE recommend that the
Selectiye Service Act be changed
as soon as possible"
Appointments to Be Made.
Other provisions Of the report
approved included support Of the
United Nations. relief programs Of
the church and recommendations
that individual churches help find
homes for displaced persons here.
The conference tomorrow will
announce the annual list OF pas
toral appointments for the COM
ing year.
The meeting yesterday tabled q
resolution opposing as "socialistic"
the national medical legislation
proposed by President Truman.
The motion was tabled when dele
gates protested too many members
were absent to vote on IN issue