Evening star., 1951-04-29
Churches Take d Hand
Protestant Group Moy ColIoborote With
Government in Point Four Program Abroad
By cospor Nonnes

If TNonneS
level, elimination Of mass Hitter
acy, a balanced economic growth,
reforms in public and business
administration, and a balance be-
tween growth in population and
! of foods and goods.
With regard to the last point,
the report said "the possibilities
of limiting population by volun-
tary and socially acceptable
means. rather than by famine,
pestilence and war, should be fully
explored"
! A belief that the world can es-
cape a series of "degenerative
wars" if the Point Four concept is
vigorously applied was expressed
in the document.
Behind the new idea Of nations
uniting to improve mans condi-
Ition everywhere is the desire Of
needy peoples Ito become partners
in the world community" They
desire political independence j..
racial equality =. a greater meas
Iure of economic and social JUS
tice." Unless these peoples make
reasonable progress toward
these goals, the report warned
they may become fertile soil for
Itotalitarianism.
1t Is because of these and rea-
sons growing cut of their particu-
! lar mission that the churches
"are and have long been commit
ted to programs for economic and
social development" the state
|ment declared.
Our Government and the United
Nations were praised for initiating
programs seeking to alleviate and
improve conditions in underde-
veloped areas.
eve commend our Govern
ment's support of the United Ma
tons projects Of technical as
sistance. We commend the initia-
tive Of our government in the
previous development of similar
projects of its own and in the
enlargement of the same concept
under the Point w program. We
believe that this concept is in
harmony with Christian prin-
ciples. We are encouraged by the
predominance Of the motive of
human welfare in the projects
developed under this concept"
Post Emergency Value
Admitting that some projects
are serving military defense as
well as humanitarian needs, the
statement pointed out that many
serve as the foundation for
progress" long after the present
emergency has passed.
To be truly effective, the pro-
grams should also include the
following considerations:
/. Serve basic needs of the
people. Increase food supply, re-
move unjust systems. of land
tenure, provide equitable rural
credit systems.
2. Wider applications Of prin-
cipies of local responsibility.
Local reforms may be necessary
before any significant develop
ment with outside aid is pos
Sible."
3. Importance of high quality
personnel on success of projects.
THE religious forces of this coun-
try can cooperate in recruiting
and training high-minded young
people who will go out to establish
their families in needy areas and
to serve there with the devotion
Of missionary pioneers"
4. Need of more money. The
report noted that approximately
SIS billion "is now invested,
loaned or granted to the under
developed areas from the United
States" This includes $500 mil
lion in private investment funds,
$400 million in public loans and
$500 million in public grants" for
the current year. But nearly So
billion is needed each year for
these areas from outside sources
it stated.
| S. Expect answers to political
problems in underdeveloped coun-
tries to be a long-tern task with
many ups and downs.
Christians must carry on "a
powerful and widespread cam
Ipaign of education in the grass
roots Of America and the rice roots
Of Asia" SO people will understand
what is being attempted, the state
ment insisted. In addition, the
churches should let government
and business know the kinds OF
development programs they desire
to support.
The entire report, with recon-
menoationS growing out Of it, will
Ibe submitted for consideration te
!, the denominations affiliated with
1.-THE National Council of Churches