OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TIMES" Sir, Multitudes have been horrified month after month by the news from one country and another of ruthlessness, brutality and harsh treatment of peoples, minorities and individuals. And this is the year designated by the United Nations as human Rights Year! It is abundantly clear that only in highly civilised societies are human rights respected; and if there is a lesson to be learned from all the terrible things which have been happening it is that we have been wrong to identify great achievements in science, technology, education and culture with civilization, The values which we ought to have attached to civilization are those such as charity, magnanimity, kindliness, gentleness, liberality and generosity of mind. Nearly thirty years ago, Sir, at another time of crisis, The Times did a very fine thing when it sponsored the initiative of Lord Sankey and H.G.Wells, calling for a new Declaration of Human Rights, and opened its columns to the ventilation of suggestions from many distinguished contributors. I ask you Sir, to perform a like service to-day to bring good out of evil, and publish opinion on a proposal I am here putting forward to promote under suitable auspices the formulation of a Universal Code of Civilised Conduct for Men and Nations. I am confident that you will receive for it widespread and constructive support, and attract great interest internationally. In my submission there must now be a standard set before mankind to challenge and inspire, expressed in terms of the best in modern secular and religious thought and humanitarian principles. The effect of such noble utterance might well be salutary, and at the very least would help to rally the forces of sanity and give encouragement to many who are striving to uphold the dignity and worth of which humanity is capable. I have the honour to be, Sir, Yours faithfully, HUGH J. SCHONFIELD, President, The Mondcivitan Republic (Commonwealth of World Citizens) Reply to; 27 Delancey Street, London, N.W.I (U.K.)
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