FUTURE OF GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 3

FUTURE OF GERMANY

Discussion By Christian Leaders BASIS FOR JUST PEACE The future settlement in Germany was fully discussed at the recent Interna tional Round Table of Ix-aders which he had attended m 1 inceton, U.S.A., as the representative of the New Zealand churches, said the Dean of Christchurch, the A e . r -V A',, Ju* Warren, in an address n, .,^. eblc LL hU ßev’ Taranaki Street, last p}e»ht. 1 i nn < r p Gladstone Hughes presided over a lar o c " a DcaT S Warrcn described the Princeton conference as “a wonderful experience in Christian fellowship.” Certain principles were put out at its conclusion and cei tain directives issued which be believed would have an effect when post-war problems of reconstruction were being conS ’Thepurpose of the conference had been to obtain a consensus of opinion on world affairs. There were 60 delegates, representing 12 countries, most of whom were real experts in their particular sphere, some having played a prominent part.in international affairs. The conference had put out statements on the following: Luc fundamentals of world order; a message to the Church calling it to this specific task in the present time; suggesting the application of the Christian message in certain areas, Russia, Germany and the Far East; a message to all Christiania war-torn lands. . , . Urging'people to take an interest in these problems, the dean said that most in this country were mainly concerned in the domestic affairs of New Zealand, But domestic issues were related to world issues unless we were living in a fools’ paradise. Reconstruction alter the war would, mean sacrifice, and it would not be popular or easy to bring people to see it. After the war, in a mood of war weariness people would leel that they could not take an interest in other countries. That isolationism would only mean trouble later. Temporary collaboration among the United Nations should, give way. to a universal order, including all nations. .Lt was the business of- the Church to say what ought to be and of the economists to say it would be, within certain limits of what was possible. Other points made by the. conference included immediate collaboration in postwar relief. This task would be beyond the scope of individual churches. Enemy Countries. It was recognized, he said,, that great assistance could come from increasingly large groups of faithful church people in Germany who bad been enriched by tbe spiritual experience that had come to them through persecution, and who had been strengthened by their suffering. There was hope that new leaders might spring up from those groups. In regard to Japan, Dean Warren said it was realized that the terms that must be exacted would be severe, but they should,-nevertheless, be just and constructive, and not with the idea of retribution. Japan's real need was economic expansion, not room to expand/ . It was imperative that the United Nations get alongside Russia in a way that had not yet been. done. Even from a worldly point of view it was absurd not to be friendly with Russia, though one might not agree with all its policy or past actions. From a higher point of view it was necessary to help Christians in Russia and to assist iu prompting full religious freedom there. People in Russia .had freedom for the performance of religious rites but not for religious instruction.

Liberty for the world was not going to be achieved unless there were sufficient people-’who would be crusaders for peace. Statesmen and politicians in 1918 were unable to make a peace which cOuld be described as “just and lasting,” because their people were unable to follow a lead when it was given. This time it was essential that the people should bo educated. Leaders could only lead their people as far as they were ready to follow. The church had its opportunity of exercising its prophetic function in this work of gathering together in one the children of God.