12 SEPTEMBER 1931, Page 13

THE CHURCHES AND DISARMAMENT

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIII,—The, streets of Cambridge last Friday saw an unexampled sight. A procession of some three hundred persons from more than thirty countries marched from Trinity College to Great St. Mary's Church ; in its ranks were Orthodox Archbishops in gorgeous robes, Anglican ecclesiastics, beruffed Scandinavian firelates, more sombrely gowned dignitaries from the Lutheran and Reformed Churches of the Continent, from the United States, the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches. The procession marked 'the end of the eighth international Con- ference of the World Alliance for International Friendship through the Churches. During its sessions the major subject was the Church and Disarmament. Even more valuable than its resolutions and the utterances of its speakers were the opportunities which it gave for intercourse between national and ecclesiastical groups, too often divided, for frank discus- sions which resulted in mutual understanding of differences and a determination to work together for world peace on the foundation of their common Christianity. A new feature of the Conference was the presence of over one hundred young people from the Churches of many lands whose enthusiastic co-operation was an inspiration full of hope for the future. The impression left by the Conference is that to-day, as perhaps never before, there is in the Churches, backed and urged forward by their youth, a force strong enough to ensure the peace of the world if they use the influence they still undoubtedly possess. United action by the Churches of Christendom can give new life to themselves and to mankind.—