GERMAN CHURCH DISPUTE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 October 1934, Page 7

GERMAN CHURCH DISPUTE.

BATTLE REACHING OLIMAX OF FIERCENESS. RUTHLESS EMPLOYMENT OF THE ♦ IRON HAND^ (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright). Received Monday, 9.10 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 15. The News-Chronicle’s Berlin correspondent says that General von Hpp, Catholic Governor of Bavaria, conferred with Hitler, urging him to settle the Church dispute. Hitler refused to intervene. The iron hand has also been ruthlessly used in Prussia, whore many clergymen have been arrested, including a high dignitary was was taken from his sickbed. The battle between the Nazi German Christians and 8000 dissident pastors is reaching its climax of fierceness owing to secret police shadowing Bishops in Bavaria and Wurtenburg. Reichs Bishop Mueller spent the week-end on his Silesian estate, while pastors throughout the country protested in almost unprecedented language, nearly all referring to the Opposition manifesto, the distribution of which the police prevented. A congregation, overflowing into the rain-swept street, struggled to hear Dr. Niemoller endorse the manifesto. Munich pastors, denouncing the Muellerites as allies of heresy, laying waste the House of God, hurled defiance at Dr, Jaeger’s forcible domination of the Bavarian Church. Subscriptions have been taken up to support allegiance to Bishop Meiser, whose continuance in office is demanded.

Police Forcibly Arrest Pastors VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS LONDON, Oct. 14. The News-Chronicle’s Berlin correspondent says that the church war is becoming more violent in Wurtemberg, where there are nightly demonstrations in support of Dr. Wurm and other deposed arrested church leaders. The police at Stuttgart are forcibly arresting pastors for refusing to resign and also forbidding public prayers. The Nazi “German Christians” are interrupting services in some churches. On two occasions heavy blows were exchanged. Thousands marched to the Episcopal Palace at Munich where Dr. Meiser is held ' prisoner, and protested against his treatment, but they- dispersed before armed Nazi guards could get into actio*. The Times, referring to the subject, says that these incidents would have been inconceivable in Nazi Germany a few months ago, and are significant of the hostility of Herr Hitler’s present "church policy in arousing among Bavarian Protestants.