Nationalism and internationalism : a Christian interpretation of basic principles


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A CHRISTIAN INTERPRETATION OF BASIC PRINCIPLES

OUR SUNDAY VISITOR LIBRARY

HUNTINGTON, INDIANA

Adopted by the AnnualConvention

of the Catholic Central Verein of

America and the National Catholic

Women's Union, August 18-22,
1944 at Saint Paul, Minnesota



This Statement on National-
ism and Internationalism was
prepared by the Most Rev.
Aloisius J. Muench, S.T.D.,
Bishop of Fargo and Member
of the Bishops’ Peace Commit-
tee, and was officially adopted
in joint session of the Catholic

Central Verein of America and
the National Catholic Women’s
Union at their annual conven-
tions, held in St. Paul, Minn.,

August 18-22, 1944.

The teachings of the Sover-
eign Pontiffs are the principal

source of this Statement. Cf.

Principles for Peace, Bishops’

Peace Committee, Distributors:
Bruce Publ. Co., Milwaukee.
References to this work found
throughout the text of the

Statement are by paragraph
number.

1944
CENTRAL BUREAU PRESS
3835 WESTMINSTER PLACE, ST. LOUIS 8, MISSOURI



In a democracy public opinion must make its
voice heard. Unless this is done, democracy is

nothing more than a beautiful phrase.

The voice of the people, however, must ex-
press itself in terms of sound ideas. Many of the
evils of our day are the result of unsound ideas
sown in the decades and even centuries now past.
Today these ideas are bearing their evil fruit.

The peace that is being prepared must rest on
sound ideas. If false principles are given admission
into documents of treaties, peace will not be secure.
The experience of the last twenty-five years fur-
nishes the proof for this statement, and all
through history is written the failure of statesmen

to give due attention to cardinal principles of

morality for the making of a good peace.

With great wisdom Washington warned the
American people in his celebrated Farewell Ad-
dress that national morality can not prevail to the

exclusion of the religious principle. Neither can

international morality prevail, if in the relations

of nation to nation the principle of religion is ex-

cluded.

A modern statesman, Dr. Antonio de Oliveira
Salazar, Portugal’s scholar-statesman, expressed

this same conviction recently in other words:

‘Politics must bring economic interests in line
with moral interests.” Good statesmanship will
seek to achieve this. The great tragedy of our day

1



goes back to the failure of statesmen to see in

moral principles sure guides for the proper order-

ing of political and economic affairs.

To bring into proper balance the rightful in-
terests of both nationalism and internationalism
will be no small task for the statesmen of our day.
Their task will be lightened, if they allow them-

selves in all humility to be guided by fundamen-
tal principles of the moral law touching on na-
tionalism and internationalism.

This statement seeks to set forth such princi-
ples. For its preparation much help was received
from Principles for Peace, A World to Recon-
struct

,

and The International Law of the Future .
Due acknowledgment is herewith expressed to the
authors and publishers of these works on problems
of peace.

2 NATIONALISM AND



McMatuUilm

NATIONS WERE founded according to the de-
signs of Divine Providence. Pius XI stated this
truth in a few words: “Nations have been made
by God”;1 and Pius XII declared more recently
that “nations are formed by divine disposition.”

1

In the plans of God each nation differs from
the other in language, usages, customs, traditions,

and culture. By virtue of this great variety each
nation is enabled to make a special contribution
toward the common good of mankind. Each na-
tion, no matter how small, occupies a rightful
place in the divine order of the human family
established by God.
On this Christian truth, to which every page

of history bears witness, is based what Benedict
XV called “justifiable nationalism.”3

/. (fuAtiffiaidz J\lati04uUUm

Nationalism in its good sense is nothing less
than a form of patriotism. Patriotism has wider
connotations than nationalism. Patriotism may be
applied to one’s country or fatherland, to one’s

town or city, and also to racial or tribal groups
within one’s country. Nationalism, on the other
hand, has the definite connotation of love for and
loyalty to one’s nation. It is as modern as the
nation-state is modern.

'Pius XI, 1293.
“Pius XII, 1429.
•Benedict XV, 389.

INTERNATIONALISM 3



Since patriotism is a Christian virtue, national-

ism, too, shares in the qualities of this virtue. It

involves love for one’s nation, reverence for its

historical traditions and for its cultural achieve-
ments, and loyalty to the nation’s rightful inter-
ests. Nationalism, rightly conceived, is, therefore,
in the words of Pius XI, “the nursery of many
virtues.”*

We do not, therefore, condemn but rather en-
courage such nationalism. It is our patriotic duty
to do so. Through such nationalism the natural,
inalienable rights of nations, small and large, weak
and strong, are safeguarded. We reaffirm these
rights to be primarily rights to life and indepen-
dence. Every nation has the right to life, for “na-
tions never die,”

5
and “one nation’s will to live

must never be tantamount to a death sentence for
another.”

6

To enjoy life and independence every
nation must have the right also to enjoy freedom,
integrity, and security. Nations must, therefore,
be allowed to decide their own destiny and to de-
velop and prosper according to their own genius
and their own individual resources.

1.

The rights which justifiable nationalism may
exact are nonetheless rights limited by duties. This
we wish to emphasize. Rights of states are limited
even as rights of individuals are limited. There

are no absolute rights. The failure to recognize
this has been in history the source of internation-

al conflicts. To be justifiable, nationalism must
4
Pius XI, 1293.

B
Benedict XV, 389.

6
Pius XII, 1497,

7
Benedict XV.

4 NATIONALISM AND



subject itself to the law of Christ, which rests on

the twin pillars of justice and charity. These two
social virtues set limits to unwarranted demands

and exactions of nationalism. Without them
nationalism runs to excess.

<2. ZaaeMive.

Excessive nationalism has become “a veritable

curse,”
8
to use a striking phrase of Pius XI. Ex-

cessive nationalism speaks of the law of race and

nationality, “as if law and justice,”
8
wrote Pius

XI, “could be sustained and founded on these
particular types.”

Against such false teaching, rampant among
nations everywhere, we declare our adherence to
the law of Christianity. This law overrides all
particularistic claims of nations, since this law
takes all nations into the universal embrace of

justice and charity. It treats all nations alike;

it sends out the same call to duty to all nations; it

plays no favorites; it eyes with equal regard the
rights of all nations “whatever be their territorial

extent or their capacity for defense.”
18

We fear that excessive nationalism will once
more ruin the chances for a good peace, for war is
the prolific breeder of false ideas on patriotism.
During wartime every means of propaganda is
used to stimulate pride in one’s nation. To achieve
this purpose truth is used, but falsehood also.
Enemy nations are put into the worst possible

“Pius XI, 1293.
“Pius XI, 1 1 20.
,0
Pius XII, 1758.

INTERNATIONALISM 5



light. Patriotism is stirred in the breasts of people

to the point where by its excesses it loses its char-
acter as a virtue and becomes a vice.

Interested solely by motives of attaining a good
peace we condemn whatever strengthens excessive
nationalism. Unless its voice is stilled another war
will ravage the world. For, its call is not to the

practice of Christian charity, but to taking up of
arms in fratricidal strife, and "from stained and
devastated lands will be raised anew the voice of
brother's blood."

11

The advocates of an excessive nationalism must
not be permitted to have a place at the peace table.

They will ruin the hopes and prayers of people
everywhere for a good peace.

MILITARISTIC NATIONALISM

The danger now is that, flushed with victory,
militaristic nationalism will strive to remain in

control. If it succeeds to stay in power there will
be no "progressive disarmament", for which Pius
XII pleaded in his Christmas message of 1939.
The mad race for armament will continue; crush-
ing burdens of taxes will weigh down the citizens
of countries everywhere; money will be used for
engines of destruction instead of for works of
construction; security will once more degenerate
into insecurity. Huge armaments will breed sus-
picions, lead to the formation of power blocs, fan
fires of animosity, hatred, and revenge, and thus,
destroying good will among men, continue to im-
peril peace on earth. Peacetime conscription of

u
Pius XI, 1105.

6 NATIONALISM AND



youth will also follow upon militaristic national-
ism’s stay in power. Physical education is un-

fortunately given a militaristic turn. Of this Pius
XI, turning to history as his witness, said that

“military athleticism has always ended in the de-

cline and downfall of nations.”
12

History teaches us to believe with firmest

conviction that “nations must be delivered from
the slavery imposed upon them by the race of
armaments and from the danger that material
force, instead of serving to protect the right, may
become an overbearing and tyrannical master.”

13

The security of peace “requires a mutually agreed
organic progressive disarmament, spiritual as well

as material, and security for the effective imple-
menting of such an agreement.”

14

For these same reasons, as well as for the pro-

tection of our youth against moral harm, such
as has always come to youth from life in army
barracks, we declare our opposition to compulsory
military training once that the war has come to
an end.

EGOISTICAL NATIONALISM

Excessive nationalism raises another danger for
a good and lasting peace. This danger arises from
what Pius XII called “the spirit of cold egoism.”

16

Of egoistical nationalism Pius XI had written: “It
is indeed impossible for peace to last between
peoples and states if, in the place of true and gen-

^ius XI, 906,
“Pius XII, 1497.
u
Ibid.

“Pius XII, 1644.

INTERNATIONALISM 7



uine lov€ of country, there reigns a hard egoistical

nationalism, which is the same as saying, hatred
and envy in the place of mutual desire for the
good; diffidence and suspicion in the place of
fraternal confidence; competition and antagonism
in the place of willing cooperation; ambition for
hegemony and mastery in the place of respect for
all rights, including those of the small and
weak.”

16

ECONOMIC NATIONALISM
Under the influence of egoistical nationalism

nation-states will pursue their interests with

selfish disregard of the rights and aspirations of
other nations. It raises its fearsome head especially

in the field of economics. Motivated by passions of
greed and lust for wealth, it drives nations on to
an economic imperialism that dominates smaller

and weaker peoples, exploits them to its own ad-
vantage, and asserts might over all claims of right.
It is inevitable that oppressed nations will nurse

ill-will and hatred, and will leave nothing un-
done to throw off the yoke of slavery even though
it should mean war with all its carnage and de-
struction.

Economic imperialism, clothing its schemes for
domination under ideals of patriotism, in reality

destroys it. For, it has no country, except "the
country where profit is .”

17
Fostering an inordin-

ate love for the goods of this earth, it becomes

the fountainhead of international misunderstand-

ing and rivalries. True patriotism is perverted by
16PiusXI, 1920.
17
Pius XI, 1013.

8 NATIONALISM AND



it to ignoble ends, since love of country is made to

justify acts in international relations that can not

be justified before the bar of moral principles.

We raise our voice in warning against this
economic imperialism because evidence is begin-

ning to appear that, despite high ideals of freedom

and protestations of democracy, selfish nationalis-

tic forces are at work to make economic matters
the prime consideration in shaping the coming

peace. Sacred principles for which this war is be-
ing fought are being relegated more and more to
the background. Economic opportunism has
swung itself into the saddle, and is riding rough-
shod over precious ideals of liberty. If peoples

everywhere will not make their voices heard in
behalf of ideals of liberty, the condition of the

world may, and very likely will be, even worse

than it was before the outbreak of the war.

ABSOLUTISTIC NATIONALISM

Another dangerous form of excessive national-
ism is that of absolutism of the state. Absolutis-

tic nationalism exalts the state to the point of

deifying it, as Pius XI phrased it in strong terms,
“with an idolatrous worship.”

18
It would give to

Caesar the things that are not Caesar’s but God’s.
The state is made omnipotent. It knows no law
but its own law. The danger to peace arises from
this that absolutistic nationalism breaks the unity

of supra-national society; robs the law of nations
of its foundations; leads to a violation of rights,

because rights, according to absolutistic national-

“Pius XI, 1172.

INTERNATIONALISM 9



ism, exist only by leave of the state; injures in-
ternational stability through its own preposterous
claims of stability; and destroys the possibility of
useful and fruitful collaboration.
War exigencies strengthen absolutistic national-

ism, especially in a war that is so completely total
as is the present war. We express our deep con-
cern over the growing trend toward state absolut-
ism. It does not forbode a good peace. Therefore,
we reaffirm the need of upholding the supremacy
of the moral law in the face of states that consider
themselves above all law. We are convinced that
statesmen must use all their power and influence
to restore the moral law to its rightful place in
international relations if they would make a good
peace. Their first concern must be to foster true
moral culture. If they are primarily intent on the
task of raising to higher levels the economic pros-

perity and the social well-being of underprivileged
people, as commendable as these aims are, their ef-
forts to secure a just and lasting peace will fail of
success- A strong moral underpinning must be pro-
vided for the structure of peace which they are
anxious to reconstruct in a war-weary world. Let

them remember that it is "justice that exalts a
nation, but sin that makes nations miserable."

19

Peace is the work of justice.

leProverbs 14, 34.

10 NATIONALISM AND



9nteAnaUa*t'al<A.M.

True internationalism presupposes true nation-
alism, for international relations are based on the
autonomy and independence of nations. Nations
have always existed under one form or another,
and nations will always exist.

It is, therefore, a fallacy to suppose that na-

tionalism and internationalism are opposed to
each other. We dissent from the opinion advanced
by some, in these days of much discussion on the
reconstruction of the international order, that

nations must give up their sovereignty and that
all persons must become citizens of a world-state if
lasting peace is to be achieved. Such cosmopolitan-
ism is unsound; it does not face up to the fact
that mankind is divided into diverse national
groups; it predicates an utopia that can never be-

come an actuality. For these same reasons we re-
ject Marxian cosmopolitanism which, based on a
system of worldwide communism, would make
the workers of the world citizens of one large
world state.

/. SoiiAaJUtif, aff MattLlnd

Despite the diversity of nations with their dif-
ferent languages and their distinct cultures man-
kind is one. The unity of the human race is one
of the cardinal points in Christian teaching. Man-
kind is one in its origin, one in its destiny, one in
the equality of rights of a human person, one in

INTERNATIONALISM 11



the bond of love that ties all men together as
children of God and brothers in Christ . 20

The social body of mankind, wrote Pius XI,
may be likened to the mystical body of Christ ,

21

which, in analogy to the human body, is com-
posed of different members that are joined and
knit together into a compact whole, each member
functioning according to its particular purpose and
yet all functioning together for the good of the
whole .

22

The solidarity of the nations of the earth is so
basic in Christian teaching that a rich variety of

names has been used to express it. The Roman
Pontiffs have spoken of the nations of the earth,

banded together in a mutual, organic, and harmon-
ious whole as "a commonwealth of nations, a city
of nations, a congress of nations, a league of na-

tions, a family of peoples, an association of na-

tions, a community of nations, a confederacy of
mankind.” 23 Each title expresses a different phase
of the intimate solidarity that exists among the
nations of the world.

The principle of organic solidarity in the fam-
ily of nations is generally accepted today. Nations
are mutually dependent one on the other in many
different ways. Still the principle has been rendered
ineffective and inoperative by particularistic in-
terests, by artificial monopolies of privileged parties,
by egoistical nationalism which appears in politi-

20
Pius XII, 1404-1413.

^Pius XI, 999.
22Ephesians 4, 16.
^Benedict XV, 437, 453, 589, 597, 678; Pius XI,

1122; Pius XII, 1539.

12 NATIONALISM AND



cal, economic, and racial rivalries, and in general

by a weakening of the consciousness of interna-
tional solidarity.

We plead for a reawakening of the moral con-
science to the end that nation-states will recog-

nize their obligations toward the common good
of all nations. The mere creation of an association
of nations, be its form yet so ingenious, will be of
little avail if the will to cooperation and to co-
ordination of activities among nations is not for-
tified by reasonable and practicable measures for
the assurance of international order. The organic
balance among nation-states must be restored and
maintained if peace is to be achieved and kept. We
are fully aware that highminded and disinterested
statesmanship will be required to reach this goal.

The task is no small one, but the barriers to its
achievement are not insuperable.

<2. PeAianatkm. the BfUsut

Peace

International solidarity must be given new life
through the restoration of the spirit of peace. “A
firm and steady policy of peace towards other na-
tions is in fact impossible without a spirit of
peace/'

24

We are convinced that the first task of states-
men as well as of citizens must be to create an
atmosphere of good will among nations. On good
will depends peace.

4

'Peace on earth to men of
good will.”

24
Pius XII, 1828 .

INTERNATIONALISM 13



Good will, however, can not thrive in an at-
mosphere of mistrust and hatred. These must be
replaced as rapidly as possible by mutual trust and
fraternal love. Accord among powers is not
achieved "in the simple conclusion of a diplomatic

document, but in a kind of continued creation by
means of loyal collaboration, inspired by a recip-
rocal confidence and mutural esteem."

25

Peace is not assured by the mere signing of pacts
and agreements. The recent history of treaties,
which records an almost idolatrous worship of
documents, is witness to this truth. Peace is a

thing of mind and heart. It must flow from the
spiritual sources of every individual into the life

of the nation, and from there out into the nations
of the world.

To create an atmosphere of peace must be the
work of statesmen through governmental agencies
which they inspire and direct, as well as the work
of citizens through agencies such as the press, the

platform, the radio, and the school.
But above all must religion be allowed to play

its unique and sacred role of spreading the spirit
of peace. To religion has come the supreme task
of "widening the spaces of charity",

26
to use an

apt phrase of St. Augustine. To religion has been
given the mandate of establishing the Reign of
Christ among the peoples of this earth.

In view of the important and indispensable role
that religion is under obligation to play in giving

vigor to the spirit of peace we can not understand
why the way to the message of the Christian faith

*PiusXII, 1607^
"

26
St. Augustine, Sermon 69, Migne, P. L. v. 38, C. 440.

14 NATIONALISM AND



is blocked by all sorts of legislative measures.
“Youth is withdrawn from the beneficent influ-
ence of the Christian family, alienated from the
Church, educated in a spirit contrary to the teach-

ings of Christ, and imbued with ideas, maxims,
and practices which are anti-Christian.””

Nor can we understand that the evil spirit of
secularism is not recognized for what it really is.
The fateful consequences of secularism are in evi-
dence on every side. The religion of Christ is neg-
lected by increasing numbers ; the supremacy of His
law is contemned; and love of God is relegated to
an obscure corner in the hearts of men. The results
are seen in international affairs: bitter discord,

burning hatreds, insatiable greed, and cruel selfish-
ness. Peace can not live in such an atmosphere.

What is happening in the world is convincing
proof that nations, lest they perish, must again
learn to follow the ways of God as marked out by
His commandments. Nations, too, like individuals
are subject to His law. Indeed, in a certain sense it

is much more important that nations search out
and conform themselves to the will of God than
individuals because on “nations rests a much great-
er responsibility for the consequences of their acts

than on an individual.”
28
Without the supports

and sanctions of religion the rights of the strong
alone will prevail, while the rights of the weak
will be overpowered; and duties will be discharged
only to the extent that it will be useful to do so.
Under a system of irreligion rights and duties lose

“"Pius XII, 1764.
~

“Pius XI, 797.

INTERNATIONALISM 15



their meaning, their foundations having been

destroyed.

3. Onte/wxUiaHal Bill of RiXfUU.

In war the sacredness of rights is much extolled,
but as a matter of fact esteem for them is seriously
undermined because belligerents are guided less by
what is right than by what is useful. Utility and
success are made the supreme guides in operations
of war.

Therefore, among the first of peacetime tasks,
will be the re-establishment of regard for the rights

of nations small and large. We emphasized that
last year in our Declaration on Peace and Recon-
struction.

Nations are the subject of rights because, like

individuals, they are personalities — collective,
historical personalities. In the conduct of their

affairs, internal and external, nations, like individ-
uals, may make claims, that is, assert rights, in the
interest of a proper discharge of their respective

duties.

All nations, despite inequalities in respect to

extent, size, or power, enjoy juridical equality;
that is, each nation has the equal capacity to exer-

cise its natural, inalienable rights and to demand
that these rights be respected. Rights have an ob-
jective value; they are not dependent on subjective
considerations, nor are they subject to the chang-
ing conditions of time or place.

Because rights are the granite pillars on which
the international order must be based, it seems im-

16 NATIONALISM AND



perative to us that an International Bill of Rights

should be drawn up at the earliest possible mo-
ment. Its basic principles should be expressed in

clear, simple terms, and should therefore be

drawn from the natural law. The statement should
not be weakened by reservations that will open up
loop-holes for evasion. In the formulation of the

International Bill of Rights legalism with its en-

ervating cautions and qualifications should not be
allowed to have a voice. The power of the natural
law should be permitted to have exclusive sway.

At the very head of such a Bill should be placed
the clear statement that God is the source of all
law; that all governments are subject to the dic-
tates of His moral law as written in the reason of
man; and that the law of nations, which is basic
in all international relations, has its roots in God's

moral law.

In this Bill of Rights definite assurance should

be given that nations, small or large, strong or

weak, have a right to life. This includes not only
the right of access to the natural resources of the

earth but also the right to religious liberties, and to
cultural development in harmony with rightful
natural aspirations and legitimate historical tra-
ditions.

Nations must also be secured in their right to
independence. Their sovereignty must be respected,
and consequently they must not be forced into the
role of satellite nations, nor must there be any in-
terference with their internal affairs, so long as
by their conduct of them they do not menace the
rights of other nations or endanger the peace of

INTERNATIONALISM 17;



the world- This right to independence involves
also the right to choose their own form of gov-
ernment, provided again that the rights of others

are respected and that willingness to discharge

duties owed fellow nations is preserved .
29

Intimately connected with the rights to life and
independence are the rights to liberty, integrity,

and security.

A nation that is denied the right of liberty is
no longer independent; it has become a slave na-
tion. Liberty implies exclusion of foreign interfer-

ence. Of course, the right of liberty is not an ab-
solute or unlimited right. It must be exercised with
due regard to the rights of other nations. Liberty

must never be used as a pretext or subterfuge to
evade international obligations.

The right to integrity safeguards a nation pri-
marily as to its territorial possessions. It may not
be attacked wantonly and invaded, and may not
be divided and despoiled. Small nations have
found themselves too weak to resist the aggression
of powerful neighbors. Again and again, in utter
disregard of the moral law, has their neutrality
been violated and their integrity ravaged.

Guarantees of security must be given in order
that nations will be secure in their rights to life,

independence, liberty, and integrity. Without such
security there can be no tranquillity of order, and
hence no peace. This security should be established
on the basis of collective action so that violations
of international order can be effectively opposed.

^Leo XIII, 53; Pius XI, 997.

18 NATIONALISM AND



But all such measures of collective security will

fail if nation-states lack a lively realization of

their duties in international affairs. There has

been too much emphasis placed on rights and too
little on duties. Peace rests secure if duties are
faithfully and loyally discharged.

4. Onte/utGUoMal Bill Abutted.

The first duty of nations is to God. Statesmen,
who guide the destinies of nations, must pay trib-
ute to the all-important truth that God is the
Supreme Lawgiver. From Him all human law de-
rives its sacred character. “From a lively faith in a
personal and transcendent God there springs a
sincere and unyielding moral strength which
shapes the whole course of life,” declared Pius
XII. “For, faith is not only a virtue,” he adds, “it

is also the divine gate by which all virtues enter the
temple of the soul to build that strong and tena-
cious character which does not falter before the
rigid demands of reason and justice.”

30

Recognition of the sovereignty of God inevit-
ably leads to the recognition of the supremacy of
the moral law in the affairs of men. The moral law
has received mortal blows, and hence the law of
nations has collapsed. The restoration of the juri-
dic order, that is government by law based on
God's moral law, is a prime, imperative duty of
statesmen who will be burdened with the respon-
sibility not only of making but also of keeping
the peace.

“Pius XII, 1762.

INTERNATIONALISM 19



In view of God as Supreme Lawgiver and of
the supremacy of His moral law, nation-states can
not assert an unlimited and absolute sovereignty.
They will recognize that the assertion of sovereign-
ty has limits drawn by duties toward fellow na-
tions. Even as individuals, sovereign in their nat-
ural, inalienable rights, must acknowledge social
responsibility toward the common good, so also
nation-states must limit their sovereignty by the
social responsibilities they have toward the inter-
national common good. The principle of absolute-
ness of sovereignty is contradicted not only by
reason but by all facts of history. It must be vigor-
ously opposed by all who are concerned about
the future peace.

Once that the limitations of sovereignty are
honestly and unreservedly recognized, statesmen
and citizens alike will see the merits and benefits of
self-renunciation that

‘

'makes one give rather than

take.”
31 Moved by its spirit, nation-states will open

wide the way to international collaboration; ex-
actions of rigid justice will be tempered, thus

quenching the fires of bitterness and hatred that
smolder in the hearts of men on whom justice has
laid too heavy a hand; and peace will rest secure
because its home has been moved away from the
side of a volcano of revenge that may erupt at any
time into fiery blasts of war.

Duties to the international common good re-
quire also respect for the truth, loyalty to the

pledged word, and regard for the sacredness of

pacts and treaties.

^Pius XII, 1370.

20 NATIONALISM AND



Unbridled propaganda resorts to a methodical

distortion of the truth and to intemperate vilifica-

tion of nations. Incalculable damage will be done
to future cooperation of nations, if statesmen, as

well as press, platform, and radio, do not hold

high the standards of truth in international rela-

tionships. We do not recommend censorship by
law or government decree, but we do recommend
the setting up of an ethical code for all agencies of
publicity and propaganda— a code that will set
forth imperatives on speaking and waiting of
other nations in the spirit of truth. International

good will must not be harmed by spokesmen who
show no esteem for the truth.

Statesmen in particular have a sacred obliga-

tion to observe fidelity to the pledged word. The
value of the given word has never been lower. Mis-
trust among nations is the sad and tragic conse-
quence; minds are uneasy, and seek security in
armaments. Because of the suspicions that have

been aroused by mistrust, peace is trembling in
constant anxiety. Tension of spirits is not con-
ducive to a state of peace. Loyalty and fidelity to
the plighted word are much in need of repair. Mor-
al sanctions of the highest order are required to

give them once more honorable standing in the
commonwealth of nations .

32

Again and again have the Sovereign Pontiffs
called attention to the great need of restoring re-

spect for the pledged word, and hence for treaties.
So long as pacts are not observed, peoples will feel
insecure, and disarmament can not be realized. The
threat of war will continue to hang over their

82
Pius XI, 1286; Pius XII, 1319.

INTERNATIONALISM 21



heads. Pius XII has described the situation well:
"In proportion to the degree in which disarma-
ment is effected means must be found which will
be appropriate, honorable, and efficacious in order
that the norm, 'Pacta sunt servanda — Treaties
must be observed

*

may once again enjoy its vital
and moral function in the juridical relations be-
tween states. This norm has undergone many seri-
ous crises and has suffered undeniable violations in
the past, and has met with an almost incurable
lack of trust among the various nations and
among their respective rulers." 33

It is crystal clear that moral factors alone can
heal the wounds that have been struck pacts and
treaties by amoral and irreligious governments of
recent times. Laws can not remedy the evil be-
cause they, too, will not be regarded; and armed
force will lose all power of coercion so soon as
big powers, motivated by practical and utilitarian
considerations, become violators of the treaties they
signed. The foundation of justice is not armed
might but fidelity, that is, unswerving loyalty to
the spoken and written word. Statesmen must
learn again that when they pledge their nation's
word they make a promise not only to men, but
also to God. "But that which is once gone out of
thy lips, thou shalt observe, and thou shalt do as
thou hast promised to the Lord thy God." 34 Let
no one say that religion is not important in the
practical affairs of men.

In line with fidelity to the pledged word is re-
gard for the law of nations which prescribes that

^Pius XII, Christmas, 1941.
8
*Deut. 23, 23.

22 NATIONALISM AND



international treaties shall not in any way be an-
nulled by the wilful action of one of the contract-
ing parties. All too frequently treaties have been

revised in recent times, and even abrogated, by the
unilateral action of contracting parties. Owing to
changed conditions, treaties stand in need of pe-

riodic revision, but such revision should be made
by mutual action and consent of the contracting
parties, and, if a fair settlement of the difficulties

can not be reached, resort should be had to the
Permanent Court of International Justice. The
loss that a nation may suffer by such a procedure in
its honor or in its possessions is small in com-
parison to the terrific losses that are suffered

through war.

If peace is to be preserved, the duty of mutual
collaboration among nations in political, economic,
cultural, social, and religious matters is clear .

83

Nations in distress must be helped; social charity
requires that. Weak nations must be strengthened;
all nations benefit from strong, healthy members
in the social body of nations. Poor nations must
be allowed access to the natural resources of the

earth, and outlets must be given to their teeming
populations; all nations are enriched if living

space is given to peoples in need of it .
30

Since

earthly things play such an important role in the
lives of men, a generous policy of economic co-
operation is of vital concern to the international

common good . 37 Economic imperialism, closed
economies, narrow policies of self-sufficiency,

86
Pius XI, 1098.

8a
Pius XII, 1693.

87
Pius XI, 1067.

INTERNATIONALISM 23



trade barriers of a varied kind, discriminatory fi-

nancial controls, selfish trade restrictions, favored

nation agreements — these and similar measures
create serious blocks in the circulatory system of

international life. They breed discontent and ill-
will; they give rise to countermeasures in the form
of reprisals, nationalistic blocs, balance-of-power

groupings, and other alliances that lead to inter-
national unrest, to insecurity, to armaments, and
finally to war.

We urge an earnest re-examination of the duties
that nations owe one another and favor the draw-
ing up of an International Bill of Duties whose
guiding principles should be given a place in the

treaties that will be made upon the conclusion of
the war.

24 NATIONALISM AND



5. 9*d&uuzti04iAzl 9i-td,Ututkm.4,

Human life does not automatically put its var-
ied activities into order. It is the function of hu-

man reason to effect order. Out of reasoned effort,
based on the experiences of the past, international
order must be created. For this, international in-
stitutions must be established.

CONFEDERATION OF NATIONS

Although many bonds of a varied kind link
nations informally together, it is desirable that an

international organization of all nations be created.

We favor the establishment of a Confederation
of Nations on a universal basis, in which the sov-
ereignty of each nation shall be respected and
maintained. There must be no restrictions, nor
exclusions, nor discriminations as to membership.
This is in line with the principles contained in the
Atlantic Charter which emphasizes that “all states,
great or small, victor or vanquished, must be al-
lowed the enjoyment of conditions necessary for
prosperity, mutual collaboration, the abandon-
ment of force, and the benefits of peace.” Every
effort should be made to bring all nations into the
Confederation of Nations. No provisions should
be made for withdrawals or for expulsion.

If not all nations join, such an international
organization will hardly be effective; hostile

counter groups may be formed; and new balance-
of-power blocs will be created.

Other restricted groups, based on common
mutual interests, or on historical relationships, or

INTERNATIONALISM 25



on natural economic ties, should be permitted, so
long as they do not pursue policies that run counter
to those of the universal organization.

The method of organization will have to await
the conclusion of hostilities because it is difficult

to foresee what the international situation will be
at that time. Nevertheless, plans should be made
now. The problem of organizing a Confederation
of Nations will be less difficult if it results from
“a union between groups of States, the groups be-
ing first regional, then continental, and finally
international. Such an organic and more gradual,
association of States would notably reduce the im-
portance of the distinction between large and small
countries.”

38

GENERAL CONFERENCE

To make the Confederation of Nations effec-
tive, a General Conference should be organized.

The Conference shall be competent to discuss and
to make decisions on all matters of concern to the
Confederation of Nations. The Conference shall
be empowered to refer international problems to
special institutions or agencies especially set up to
deal with them.
The principle of equality for all states shall be

maintained, and yet, owing to inequalities in fact
because of size, influence, or responsibilities, ques-

tions of classification of states, of representation,

of manner and method of voting will have to re-
ceive careful consideration. For this precedents are
available in the International Conferences of

^Gonella, A 'World to Reconstruct, p. 267, Bruce, Mil
waukee, 1944.

26 NATIONALISM AND



American States, in the Congresses of the Universal

Postal Union, in the meetings of the League of
Nations, and other special international gatherings.

We favor the creation of a General Con-
ference for the purpose of establishing and main-
taining international order in the interest of a good
peace. The Conference should meet at least once
a year, and at such other times as meetings will be
needed to achieve the purposes of the Confedera-

tion of Nations. Permanent officials should be en-
gaged to maintain a continuing policy of the Con-
ference.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE

A large body such as the Conference would be
too unwieldy for effective action. Hence, a smaller

body, which might be called the Executive Direc-
torate, should be created to serve as the general

executive organ of the Confederation of Nations.

The membership should be composed of repre-
sentatives of the nations associated in the Confed-

eration of Nations, and should be chosen primar-
ily on the basis of ability and willingness to as-
sume responsibilities in international affairs. In the
selection of members consideration should be giv-
en to the importance of the roles of states in inter-

national affairs, to the main geographical divisions
of the world, to the great ethnical groups, to dif-

ferent religious traditions, to the various types of

culture, and to the chief sources of wealth. That
problems will arise in the choice of members is
inevitable, but rich historical precedents exist to

show what is and what is not feasible and prac-

INTERNATIONALISM 27



ticable. The Conference should have the right to
make the selection.

Since the Executive Directorate is the general

executive organ of the Confederation of Nations it

should be vested with large powers. These should

not be used without close collaboration with the

Conference, and in some matters concurrently with

it.

In general, the Executive Directorate should take

cognizance of the failure of states to perform their

obligations, or of any use of force, or threat to use
force, by a state against another, and to adopt
whatever measures are necessary for the protec-

tion of the interests of the international common
good; have power to organize effectual safeguards
of a military, economic, or financial nature

against states that resort to an unauthorized use

of force or seriously menace the state of peace;
prescribe measures in the case of internal conflicts

that threaten to spread to other nations and thus
endanger the peace; recommend to the Conference
what means should be used against a nation that
took up arms in disregard of definite treaties and
covenants "to the severance of all trade and finan-
cial relations, the prohibition of all intercourse

between their nationals and the nationals of
covenant-breaking states, and the prevention of all
financial, commercial, or personal intercourse be-

tween the covenant-breaking state and the na-
tionals of any other state ;"

69
enact new rules

under international law and modify them as need
may arise; fix its own rules of procedure; deter-
mine the budget and allocate the contributions to

80Covenant of League of Nations.

28 NATIONALISM AND



be made by the governments of the Confederation
of Nations for the covering of the costs of the

Conference, the Directorate, and subordinate com-
mittees and agencies.

Moreover, the Executive Directorate should have

power to give effect to any judgment of the Per-
manent Court of Justice if a state fails to give
heed to it; take cognizance of disputes between

states that are not pending before the Court; pre-

vent their aggravation or extension ; request the ad-

visory opinion of the Court in certain cases; seek
a friendly settlement; and publish all the facts
relevant to the dispute together with recommen-
dations deemed to be equitable and just.

Authority should also be vested in the Execu-

tive Directorate to advise the revision of interna-

tional agreements, pacts, or treaties, on its own
authority or upon appeal by one of the contracting
parties. Unilateral revision of treaties is to be con-

demned as disturbing to the peace and provocative
of war.

Finally, power should be given to the Execu-
tive Directorate to establish special agencies for the

furtherance of a closer collaboration among all na-
tions in matters touching on the size, type, and
manufacture of armaments; on international trade;
on production and distribution of food and raw
materials; on international finance and investments;
on international transport, particularly aerial, as
well as international communications; on welfare
of underprivileged people; on public health; on
traffic in narcotics and dangerous drugs; on popu-
lation problems in connection with emigration

INTERNATIONALISM 29



and immigration; on trusteeship of colonies; on
supervision of mandates; on cultural and scientific
interchange. As need arises other agencies should
be created.

PERMANENT SECRETARIATE

Permanent officials are needed to carry on the
routine administrative work of the Conference,
the Directorate, and subordinate agencies, to co-
ordinate activities of the various agencies and in-

stitutions, and to keep up contacts with the re-
spective governments.

For this purpose a Permanent Secretariate
should be established whose members shall act in
an international capacity and shall therefore pledge
themselves to regulate their conduct in accord with

the interests of the Confederation of Nations in

disregard of instructions they might receive from
any government.

All international engagements, no matter what
their nature, should be registered with the Per-

manent Secretariate upon its entry into force, and
the texts thereof should be published by the Per-
manent Secretariate.

PERMANENT COURT OF
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE

Owing to the general shattering of all inter-
national law in the course of the war it is more
than ever imperative that the supremacy of this

law for the regulation of affairs between nations be

reestablished.

30 NATIONALISM AND



Within a few months of the outbreak of the

war Pius XII in his five-point program for a good

peace, declared that it is of the first importance to

erect juridical institutions for the reorganization

of the broken international order of law.

Such a juridical institution exists in the Per-

manent Court of International Justice established

at the Hague in 1900. During the years of its ex-
istence it did outstanding work. “This Court,”
writes Gonella, "which is autonomous, may be
regarded as the most fortunate attempt at inter-
national jurisdiction.”

40
Its powers should be not

only maintained but also extended.

In addition to hearing cases of legal dispute

and deciding on them, it should be given the power
to revise treaties upon application of any party to
a dispute. “Human frailty renders it difficult, not
to say impossible,” Pius XII sagely remarks, “to
foresee every contingency and guard against every
danger at the moment in which treaties are signed;
passion and bitter feeling are apt still to be rife.
Hence, in order that a peace may be honorably ac-
cepted and in order to avoid breaches and unilat-
eral interpretations, it is of the first importance to

erect some juridical institutions which shall guar-
antee the loyal and faithful fulfillment of the con-
ditions agreed upon, and which shall in case of
recognized need, revise and correct them.”

41
Changes

of fact in a rapidly changing world must be taken
into account. Treaties must not be enforced if in-
justice be thereby done or if the enforcement en-
dangers the peace. Yet no nation should cause any

“Gonella, op. cit., p. 259.
“Pius XII, 1497.

INTERNATIONALISM 31



breach to be made in a treaty by unilateral action.
Such action easily leads to war. It should seek a
pacific settlement of the problems that have arisen
with another nation. The just demands of nations
deserve to be examined in a friendly spirit with a
view to meeting them “by an equitable, wise, and
amicable revision of existing treaties/'

42

If friendly means have been exhausted and no
amicable settlement has been reached, the aggrieved

nation should have the right of appeal to the

Court.

Furthermore, the Court should be given com-
pulsory jurisdiction. Up till now the Court could
decide cases of legal dispute only if nations agreed

to take their controversy before the Court. Special

agreements between nations, parties to the con-

troversy, should no longer be required. After ex-
hausting friendly and pacific means for the set-
tlement of the controversy, any nation, party in
the dispute, should have the right to take its case

before the Court. The decision should be final and
obligatory. While the Court is not an enforcement
body, appropriate and effective powers for the
enforcement of the decision should be conferred

on the Executive Directorate.

In brief, the Court should have jurisdiction to
advise the General Conference and the Executive
Directorate in legal matters under dispute; to

clarify and interpret international law; to give
declaratory judgments with respect to existing

treaties or agreements; to hear and decide disputes
in which nations are in conflict as to their re-

^Gonella, op. cit., p. 232; Pius XII, 1497.

32 NATIONALISM AND



spective legal rights; and to codify this law in

conformity with the highest principles and tested

practices of international jurisprudence*

PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION

Another important juridical institution is a Per-
manent Court of Arbitration* Not all controver-
sies are of a legal nature; many are financial and
economic.

Sometimes states will agree to submit their dis-
pute to a special commission or tribunal. But if no
agreement is reached, cases not legal in nature

shall be referred to the Permanent Court of Ar-
bitration. In the interest of peace, arbitration

should be made compulsory. Twenty-seven years
ago Benedict XV voiced the need, on several oc-
casions, of a Court of Arbitration with compul-
sory jurisdiction .

43

Arbitration should be required either by a de-
cision of the General Conference or the Executive

Directorate, or even upon the demand of any na-
tion having reason to fear an outbreak of a con-
flict that will affect its interests.

OTHER INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

International life is very complex. In order to

bring order into its affairs, coordinate activities,

promote neighborly and friendly relations, and
foster the prosperity of nations, large and small,
it is necessary to organize international life.

^Benedict XV, 525, 536, 549.

INTERNATIONALISM 33



A good beginning was made with many inter-
national organizations created to deal with mat-
ters of concern to the nations of the world.

Among the prominent ones are the Universal
Postal Union (1874), the International Bureau
of Weights and Measures (1875), the Union for
the Protection of Artistic and Literary Works
(1896), the International Labor Organization
(1919), and the International Telecommunica-
tion Union (1932). In addition to these organi-
zations created by interested states many other or-
ganizations for the promotion of friendly, scien-
tific, and cultural relations have been created.

All these international agencies, whether of a

public or private character, should be maintained

and fostered.

Others arising out of new postwar conditions
will have to be established, especially in financial

and economic fields. It is by no means too early to
start with the planning of such organizations
now. The lessons of the past will be valuable. On
this point Pius XII remarked: “Hence, in creating
or reconstructing international institutions, which
have so high a mission and such difficult and grave
responsibilities, it is important to bear in mind
the experience gained from the ineffectiveness or
imperfections of previous institutions of the

kind.”
14

But the best intentions and the most carefully
worked out plans for peace among nations are
foredoomed to failure unless the spirit of Christ,,
the Prince of Peace, gives life and authority to the

“Pius XII, 1497.

34 NATIONALISM AND



dead letter of international agreements. Peoples

and those who govern them must weigh their
responsibilities according to the sacred and in-
violable laws of God; they must truly hunger and
thirst after justice if they are to be blessed with

peace; they must bind together all their aspira-
tions and works in international life with bonds
of love. Justice and charity remain still, as they
always will be, the indispensable requisites for a
good and enduring peace.

INTERNATIONALISM 35

«





BIBLIOGRAPHY

Principles for Peace, Bruce Publishing Co., Milwau-
kee, 1943, $7.50.

This book of 894 pages, published under the aus-
pices of the Bishops’ Peace Committee, contains
excerpts from the declarations of the Sovereign
Pontiffs from Pope Leo XIII down to Pope Pius
XII on important questions and problems of
peace. A very detailed index of more than sixty
pages makes it a most valuable book of refer-
ence on the present burning questions of peace.

A World to Reconstruct, by Gonella-Bouscaren,
Bruce Publishing Co., Milwaukee, 1944, $3.50.

Dr. Guido Gonella, an authority on international
law, wrote a series of articles for the Osservatore
Romano that interpreted the peace points of
Pius XII as expressed principally in his various
Christmas messages. These articles were later
published in book form, and translated by Rev.
T. Lincoln Bouscaren, S.J. This book is an indis-
pensable aid for the interpretation of the Pope’s

mind on the subject of peace.

The International Law of the Future, No. 399, April
1944, Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, 405 W. 117 St., New York, N. Y. Subscrip-
tion $.25 a year.

No student of the peace question should be with-
out this statement. It was prepared by a group
of distinguished scholars and eminent jurists in-
terested in international law. The document con-
tains principles and proposals, and illustrates
the matter presented with factual material.

Publication of the Catholic Association for Inter-

national Peace, 1312 Massachusetts Ave., N. W..*
Washington, D. C.

The Association has issued, and continues to
issue, pamphlets on timely questions of peace.
They are especially adapted for discussion clubs.



6,500-9, 44-W 29