The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED. THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1913. THE NECESSITY OF DEFENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 47, 1 July 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED. THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 1, 1913. THE NECESSITY OF DEFENCE.

A few weeks ago a cable message trom London was received stating that Monsignor Bickerstaffe Drew, •;enior Roman Catholic Chaplain to tile Forces, had refused the invitation to attend a meeting of the Peace Society held in the Mansion House.! Further details to hand by mail explain exactly why Monsignor Drew was unable to take part in the Peace Society's function and further indicate the Roman Catholic position on tiie whole question. Presuming thai the invitation of the Peace Society i\as sent to him because of his connect ion with an Anglo-Gorman Association for fostering friendly relaions hctwen England and Germany, I : ■fonsignor Drew goes on to point oul ' hat ! lie principles of the Peace So-j •iety as he understands them are nol I ( irole.sscd by the Association to which ' ic belongs: "The Association exists! ' or a corcrete object, to promote good! ; eeling between certain two nations.: | (i soften asperities between them, i nd, as far as lies in its limited power, ! ' arrl off a war that has long been j \ ctually threatened. Tho Associa-' A

lion aims at a definite special good. Into certain first principles it does not enter; its members are nor commii ted Lo the theory thai all war is, i,i it-, essence, unlawful am! criminal. Were it otherwise the Association would not number Catholics among it--uienihers. for though the Catholic ( lunch is a dear lover of peace, she admits, and has always admitted, the lawfulness and even necessity ol war in certain conditions, and has apjproved of even aggressive wars on especial occasions—as of the Crusade 1 ." This view i-, fully supported in nn official statement given out from ill" Cardinal's house, due stressIr.ing laid upon the necessity for efficient defence by sea and land. "One who denies the lawfulness of war ii any circumstances," he says, "nvusi disapprove of armies and navies altogether, and cannot wish to see tin military and naval establishments o ■any country efficiently maintained Nor can he approve of national mili tary training fas T do)/'