GERMAN AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1938, Page 12

GERMAN AFFAIRS

PROTESTANT PASTORS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON. May 17. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that 10.000 pastors cf the Protestant Church must, decide before May 31 between dismissal or an oath of loyalty to Herr Hitler and obedience to. the laws of the State aprescribed for civil servants. This is involving a grave conflict of conflict of conscience and interest among pastors of the Confessional movement because by taking the oath they would be committed to unreserved obedience to Church authority. The pastors do not recognise this decree, issued by Dr. Werner, the State-appointed head of the Evangelical Church, under orders from the Ministry for Church Affairs. The Con fessional pastors told Herr Hitler they did not object to taking an oath to a civil authority; but that Church authority was not entitled to demand a political oath. This attitude in 1934 enabled successful resistance to a similar order.

LOAN TO AUSTRIA ROME, May 16. Sir Frederick Leith-Ross (Chief Economic Adviser to the British Government) arrived in Rome to consult the Minister for Finance (Signor P. de Revel) about an Austrian loan in which Italy participated. INSULTS TO JEWS. (Received May IS’, 1 p.m. LONDON, May 17. The "Daily Telegraph’s” Vienna correspondent says that, insults to Jews were resumed in the streets, pari ticularly in the Jewish district of Leopoldstadt. where they were forced from the pavements and made to walk on the roadway. Storm Troopers- cut off the beards of Jews emerging from the Synagogue. Several Storm Troopers 'were consequently arrested. PROTEST TO BRAZIL. (Received May IS, 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. The “Daily Telegraph's” Berlin correspondent. says that the Government ! has made representations to Brazil, [concerning Brazilian newspaper allegations that German money and influence supported the recent attempt to overthrow President. Vargas. HOMES FOR REFUGEES. RUGBY, May 17. Answering a Commons question regarding the American proposal for international action to deal with the problem of refugees driven from their homes for racial, religious, or political reasons, Mr Butler stated that more than thirty countries had now agreed to co-operate in the establishment, *ot an inter-Governmental committee, proposed by the United States, whic 1 suggested that the first meeting be held at Evion on July 6.