PASTORS IN CUSTODY

Evening Star, Issue 22723, 10 August 1937, Page 12

PASTORS IN CUSTODY

ACTION BY SECRET POLICE THE NIEMOLLER CHURCH SERVICE Press Association —By Telegraph— Copyright BERLIN, August 9. Those arrested, outside Pastor Niemoller’s church totalled 40 men and 75 women. Secret police drove up in lorries, into which they herded the prisoners. It has been announced that 64 Protestant pastors are in custody. TRIAL POSTPONED. BERLIN, August 9. (Received August 10, at 11 a.m.) The trial of Pastor Niemoller has beeoi indefinitely postponed, presumably owing to fear of further demonstrations. AUTHORITIES FEAR ACQUITTAL, LONDON, August 9. (Received August 10, at 1.5 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph's ’ Berlin correspondent suggests that the postponement of the trial of Pastor Niemoller is due to the authorities’ fear of acquittal. The correspondent recalls that two prominent Evangelical pastors have been acquitted on similar charges within five weeks. _ The official reason for postponement is that further evidence is available and requires examination. [A message received yesterday stated: Apparently in order to prevent a demonstration, the police cancelled Pastor Martin Niemoller’a service at Dahlem Church. The service was held outside , the churchy the crowds defying police orders to disperse until wholesale arrests were effected, including several pastors,] '