(3 of 4)
Sir: When the U.S.S.R. roundly condemned us for bombing the Viet Cong, it reminded me of our condemnations of the U.S.S.R. during the Hungarian uprising. Though they will rant and rave, the Russians will not do any more than we did in 1956. They have their spheres of influence, and we have ours. We must only have the resolution to hold those areas that are in our interest to hold—and those are all the areas not now under Communism.
CHARLES H. CALISHER Washington
Pacem, Love & Law
Sir: Re your fine coverage of John XXIII's Pacem in Terris [Feb. 26]: As one of those who was enthusiastic about Pope John's whole spirit, I can only be happy about the symposium. However, Pope John's laudable and warmly human vision of peace is unfortunately too closely tied to a philosophically questionable if not outdated view of law. The roots of the type of natural law discussed by Pope John lie in another age, in a world in which metaphysics and nonatomic physics prevailed, in which church and state were looked upon as partners in a theocracy. Surely this state of things no longer obtains. John's heart was way ahead of his rationalistic thinking. His world of peace rests on renewal, but that must also include the questionable theory of natural law. GEORGE J. SMITH Lake Zurich, Ill.
Sir: I must add my commendation for your report of the meeting on peace. I rejoice to see that a reputable newsmagazine is interested in reporting the thinking of such a minority—but very important—group of people. I rejoice most of all that such meetings are being held. Einstein, you remember, called nationalism the "measles" of mankind. Science and technology have so changed man's environment that he must now live as a citizen of one world under world law.
(THE REV.) ALBERT R. ASHLEY Broad Ripple Methodist Church Indianapolis
Sir: It is fine to talk about "how the world might look under the governance of love." It is also nonsense. Love is a concept appropriate in personal relations and theology but not (directly) in matters of government. In large-scale human relations, justice, and not love, is probably the ultimate value.
PAUL F. DELESPINASSE Adrian, Mich.
The War-Crimes Deadline
Sir: Even if the 20-year statute of limitations on murder were allowed to expire, that would not grant immunity to those nearly 14,000 suspected Nazi criminals against whom legal action has been initiated [March 5]. As in the U.S. and elsewhere, the statute of limitations stops running as soon as any court action to prosecute a suspect has been taken. Precisely for this reason, West German prosecutors have been working feverishly to discover persons before the May 8 deadline takes effect. To be doubly sure, they even took the precaution of starting proceedings against Adolf Hitler, although he is presumed dead. Nor would men like Martin Bormann be able to surface with impunity: a warrant against him was issued long ago.
DR. EWALD BUCHER
Minister of Justice Federal Republic of Germany
Myth Destroyed