Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 July 1920 — CHURCHES URGE LEAGUE ACTION [ARTICLE]

CHURCHES URGE LEAGUE ACTION

Back Up President Wilson In Hi* . Fight for Humanity. The highest court of the Presbyterian church, as well as that of the Baptist and Methodist, have urged their various congregations throughout the U. S.' to use every influence to bring about the acceptance of the league of nations. The following letter was read by Rev. J. B. Flemiiig to his congregation at last Sunday morning's service: “To the Ministers of the Presbyterian church: “The following resolutions unanimously passed by the general assembly of the Presbyterian church In the United States of America, were ordered printed and sent to you with the request that they be given as wide publicity as may seem

best and that the questions of league of nations and the ’Mandate for Armenia’ may have a fair hearing ana theif vital relationship to the peace and welfare of the world be understood." ACTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERlAN CHURCH IN THE U. S. A. TAKEN at PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY 28, 1920. Whereas, the general assembly oft the Presbyterian church in the U. S. A. has had brought to Its attention the serious condition now developing in the near east which menaces the peace of the world and Whereas, America’s delay In signing the peace treaty and entering the league of nations is a contributing factor In these conditions, therefore, be it Resolved, that we urge upon our government the necessity of imlmediate affirmative action which Will permit America to join the league of nations with such reservations as righteousness requires for the following reasons: First, that America may bear her share of the responsibility in bringing to an end the suffering and wrong that still continues within the borders of these eastern countries.

Second, that America’s prestige as a nation which stands for bpen diplomacy and the rights of smaller nations may be preserved'. Third, ,that the charge that America is failing to keep faith with the allies be disproved. Fourth, that the tendency now manifest among the nations to abandon the high ideals embodied in the league of nations and to return to the methods of force and selfishness he checked. First, that it is well nigh, if not vantage of the opportunity providentially thrust upon her to aid in establishing the peace of the world upon that righteousness, which alone can exalt a nation. Secondly* that in regard to America assuming responsibility for securing a stable government in the near east and especially in Armenia which matter is now before congress, we urge that our government approach this question not from the viewpoint of political expediency, self interest or past tradition, but from the viewpoint of the service which her peculiar position makes possible. We call attention to fact that the purpose which led America into the war was not fulfilled with the cessation of hostilities and that the statement that “the war will not be over until the eastern question has been disposed of and disposed of rightly” Is becoming Increasingly evident. For this reason the assembly while recognizing the widely diverse opinions held on this subject and the exceedingly delicate questions involved heartily endorses the action of the Federal Council of the Churches of America as follows: First, that it is well night, if not actually, impossible for Great Britain and France to meet their present responsibilities, which cannot be avoided, and much more to assume new ones, without America’s aid. That cable • dispatches from Loru Brice and other British leaders interested in the Christian peoples of the near east declare “that unless America joins to help bear the burdens we see no hope of delivering the subject races of Turkey. “That the King-Crane, the Harbord, the near east relief and other commissions, public and private as well as a large number of Americans in the near east, all agree that America alone is in a position to do, with comparative ease what ought to be done in that country for its pacification, for the protection of the people there and for the setting up of a safe and righteous government. “We therefore appeal to the government at Washington to recognize America’s peculiar opportunity and obligation to help in the solution of this problem because she, better than any other nation, can take up its consideratiop with nothing to gain for herself, and without arousing suspicion in others, and in answer to the practically unanimous call of all the nations concerned,

especially those smaller nations that are now awakening to a desire for national Independence. “We believe that we express the! opinion of the majority *of those whom we represent when we say that the Christian people of oiir country, while not coveting for America the responsibility of arr advisory or mandatory position, feel that she should not shrink from declaring her willingness to take such an advisory or mandatory responsibility if the allied nations and thepeoples of the east should make strong representation that by doing so she could effectively aid them In bringing order out of the chaotl* conditions that now exist.” Thirdly resolved, further, that we urge America to take this more intimate part in eastern affairs so that the peaceful work of missions may continue to render its helping hand and that those now In exile front Armenia and Persia may return to their Jiomes and the pursuit of their ordinary vocations unmolested. Fourth, that copies of these resolutions signed by the moderator be sent to the president and to our representatives in Washington and that they be printed and put into the hands of all ministers in the Presbyterian church with a request that they use them as may seem wise, either by presenting them to their congregations or to mass meetings or In approaching their representatives in congress. That the expense of printing anft distributing these resolutions be met by the assembly. Signed, SAMUEL S. PALMER, Moderator.