[To the Editor of THE SpEcranne]
SIR,--It is by no means the first time that the Pope as Re- presentative of the largest body of Christian thought has advised all nations to seek Peace and ensue it. The Papal Peace note, issued towards the end of the War, met at the time with but a cold reception, but within a year the greater part of the Pope's recommendations were adopted, and any student of the Covenant of the League of Nations can make a useful comparison of these recommendations and the terms of the Covenant.
Perhaps now, at long last, the Pope's allocution may have swifter but somewhat similar results. A correspondent in The Times gave the following quotation from a speech of Themistocles : "Unless you have armaments equal to other nations you cannot negotiate. Disarm and be friends or the reverse."
All who took the trouble to read the Proclamation accom- panying the German Conscription Edict will realize that the first part of the speech by Themistoeles was the real reason for the Conscription Edict. Perhaps the last paragraph of Themistocles' advice may be realized by promptly restun- moiling the Disarmament Conference with the avowed in- tention of applying the "yard stick" all round. Such an action would be not only real statesmanship, but a proof that the grave and solemn warning of the Supreme Pontiff has had a prompt effect. The cloud of depression that hangs over us all would be lifted, and we should all feel freer to take part in the coming Jubilee celebrations.—Yours faithfully,
Previous page
