COUNCIL FOR THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
[To THE EDUCE or Tun "SerorsTon.'1
Szn,—.Tuat before the outbreak of the war Viscount Bryce expressed the view that the provision of a wider and deeper education in international relationship had become an immediate and clamant necessity. An educational movement to meet this end is still more imperatively required to-day, when the great issues raised by the war need an educated democracy for their right solution. Accordingly, with Lord Bryce's cordial approval and sympathy, a Council has been formed for this special purpose.
Peculiar obligation rests on all men and women of broad educe- tional outlook to guide and inspire such an effort. Happily men and women everywhere are now showing a keen and widespread desire to study and understand the vitally important questions with which they are faced The opportunity thus presented is a great one, for the final sovereign power rests in the hands of the people, and to aid them rightly to use that power is true national service.
That which gives most impetus to educational work is the sense that it supplies the inspiration and guidance for effective citizen- ship, and we therefore make a strong appeal for help in an educa- tional campaign. The immediate aim should he to assist people to understand something of the issues raised by the war, the master ideas which lie at the foundations of our national life, the history of Europe, the philosophies behind policies and the economic and ethical problems which the star will bequeath to the world. Beyond this is the larger task of education in true feeling and insight, and the reconstruction not merely of the material fabric of civilization, but also of its moral and spiritual basis. Every Church and religious institution, and every organization for the betterment of life and the propagation of ideals, as well as every man and woman of goodwill, may find scope for service in this great task. It cannot be done by any special group alone, but demands the combined wisdom and energy of at. Organizations such as the Workers' Educational Association, the National Home Reading Union, the National Adult School Union, and others are already working along these lines. Whilst desiring to further the work of all such bodies, we seek to interest many beyond their borders in this movement. Obviously such a task can be approached in many ways, each valuable in its own place. Experience has shown that one of the most successful methods is that of Study and Discussion Groups. These are easy to form, suitable for persons of widely different capacity and attainments, and singularly effective as a means of carrying out Mazzines great conception of "education by association." Are there not many prevented by circumstances from giving up their ordinary occupations for service abroad who will feel it a duty to make leisure for doing work of this profoundly important kind?
Readers of this letter are cordially invited to help in one or more of the following ways: (a) By offering to lead such a Study Group. (It would help if any special qualifications were mentioned in replying.) (b) By offering to join and assist in forming a Study Group. (e) By offering the hospitality of their houses for such groups. (d) By sending donations to help with the provision of text-books and other expenses connected with the campaign.
The Council has accepted hospitality in the shape of temporary office accommodation from the National Adult School Union, and has also been fortunate in securing the co-operation of the British 'Institute of Social Service for purposes of reference and research. The following have consented to act as an Advisory Council ; Professor W. G. S. Adams, Gladstone Professor of Political Theory at Oxford; Mrs. S. A. Barnett; Rev. David S. Cairns, D.D, Professor of Dogmatics and Apologetics, Aberdeen; Rev. R J. Campbell, City Temple ; Rev. Dr. Clifford, Westbourne Park Church ; G. Lowea Dickinson, Lecturer in Economics at Cambridge ; Very Rev. William Moore Ede, Dean of Worcester ; Walter Hazel!, J.P., Treasurer of British Institute of Social Service; Rt. Hon. Arthur Henderson, M.P., President of the Brotherhood Council; Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Hereford ; Rev. Canon Scott Holland, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, Editor of the Cot1/101AA. wealth ; Rev. j. Scott Lidgett, Warden of Bermondsey Settlement; Sir Oliver Lodge, Principal of Birmingham University ; Rev. the Hon. E. Lyttelt,on, Head-Master of Eton ; Sir John D. McClure, Head-Master of Mill Hill School; Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Oxford; J. Lewis Paton, Head-Master of the Manchester Grammar School; Professor A. S. Peake, D.D., Victoria University, Man- chester ; Rev. W. B. Selbie, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford ; Professor Gilbert Slater, Principal of Ruakin College, Oxford; A. L. Smith, MA., Daniel College, Oxford ; Mrs. Philip Snowden; Sir Richard Stapley, J.P., Chairman of Committee of the British Institute of Social Service; Rev. Tissingtea Tetley', Secretary of the Student Christian Movement ; Rev. W. Temple, President of the Workers' Educational Association. We cordially invite those who are interested in this subject to communicate with the undersigned. A pamphlet containing full particulars with regard to the formation of Study Groups will la forwarded on application.—We are, Sir, dzo., PERCY ALDEN I Hon. Secretaries GEORGE rzyzezrr 1 (pro tem.).
/ WatTlillitier, &W.
[The more true knowledge we have of international relationships the better. We trust, however, that those responsible for the studies here dealt with will remember tho old advice, "Know thyself." It concerns nations as much as men to study and understand themselves. Otherwise we may take the whisper of a faction to be the authentic voice of the nation. We would also urge them to see that the students of international rotations are not led astray by abstractions. All States claim nationhood, but "nationality" is still the most difficult word to define in the whole dictionary. Let us never forget also that though internationalism may be good if wisely used, it may bs as easily abused as drugs like opium and cocaine. Dram-drinking is not confined to the physical world. It has moral and intellectual counterparts. Lastly, we would ask the Council to be specially careful that their organization shall not be misused by our enemies masquerading as friends of Humanity and Peace. Such things happened before II,. war and may happen again, be the intentions of the founders of the new Society never so patriotio. Of their patriotism wa have of course no sort of doubt —En. Spectator.]
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