WAR ON RELIGION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 11

WAR ON RELIGION

SOVIET ACTIONS CAUSE GRAVE CONCERN DISCUSSION IN COMMONS Untied P.A.—Bit Teleffrcph—Copprip • 2 RUGBY, Thursday. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Arthur Henderson, was asked in the House of Commons today by Mr. G. Locker-Lampson. formerly Under-Secretary to that department, whether he would take immediate steps under Article 11 of the covenant of the League of Nations to bring before the League the question of conditions affecting religious liberty; in Russia. Mr. Henderson replied: “The reports current about the religious situation in Russia have caused widespread and deep concern in this and other countries. They are receiving the serious consideration of the British Government. “I have grave doubts whether the course suggested hy the member would promote the object which he has in view. However, the House may rest assured that the Government, when possible or compatible with the interests of those affected, will use all its influence in support of the cause of religious liberty and the freedom of religious practice.” AWAITING REPORT In reply to a further question Mr. Henderson said he was now awaiting a report from British representatives in Russia on the religious situation. In the House of Lords the Government was asked by Lord Hayter if it had called the attention of the Soviet Government to the fact that its action against the Christian churches and people of Russia was not iu accord with the British principle of justice and could not assist in maintaining friendship between Britain and Russia. The Primate, Dr. Cosmo Lang, said this matter concerned him directly, both officially and personally. He referred to a solemn protest against religious persecution in Russia which he had made at the meeting of the Convocation of Canterbury on the previous day in the name of the Church of England and to the resolution of the bishops endorsing that protest. Dr. Lang added, however, that the bishops desired to dissociate their protest from the political issues which had been made. They felt that the force of their protest in the name of religion and humanity would be greater if it could not re regarded a 3 part of any political movement. QUESTION OF LIBERTY Lord Parmoor, in replying for the Government, said lie would not seek to deny the great importance of the question. It raised points of great difficulty and responsibility, however. He agreed with the Primate that it was their duty to inquire into the accuracy of the statements which had been made about the position in Russia. The primary difficulty from the political standpoint was that while Britain stood for religious liberty and against religious persecution she had to consider the matter from the constitutional position and allow in other countries the same liberty in matters of internal and domestic policy that she claimed for herself. It had been made the basis of any agreement which might be made between Britain and Russia that Britain should not interest herself in matters of internal or domestic concern. In common with all parties in Britain the Government was fundamentally opposed to any form of religious persecution and it desired to promote by every legitimate means the sacred cause of freedom for all forms of religious thought and action. But it must be very careful what it did so that in the result it did not cause injury by increasing the persecution of the very persons whom it desired to protect. The Foreign Secretary would do all he could in the matter. He read the statement made by Mr. Henderson on the subject in the House of Commons. LIST OF VICTIMS TERRIBLE RESULTS OF PERSECUTIONS ECCLESIASTIC’S ALLEGATIONS LONDON, Thursday. It was stated recently on the authority of a high ecclesiastic of the Russian Church that 31 bishops, 1,560 clergy and 7,000 monks and nuns had been put to death In Russia. Kerensky states that 2,000 churches were closed last year.