CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 11

CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED.

POSITION IN RUSSIA'.

BRITAIN URGED TO ACT.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

religious liberty.

report now awaited.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 14, 7.55 p.m.)

British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 13. Tho Secretary of State for Foreign 'Affairs, Mr. Arthur Henderson, was asked in tho House of Commons to-day by Mr. G. Locker-Lampson, formerly Under Secretary to that department, whether he would take immediate steps under Article 11 of the covenant of the League of Nations to bring before the League the question of conditions affecting religious liberty in Russia. Mr. Henderson replied: " The reports current about the religious situation in Russia have caused widespread and deep concern in this and other countries. They are receiving the serious consideration of the British Government. " I have grave doubts whether the course suggested by tho member would promote the object which he has in view. However, the House may rest assured that the Government, when possible or compatible with the interests of those affected, will use all its influence in support of cause of religious liberty and the freedom of religious prac4. I Jtice.

In . reply to a further question Mr. Henderson said he was now awaiting a report from British representatives in Russia on the religious situation.

Church of England's Protest.

In the House of Lords the Government was asked by Lord Hayter if it had called the attention of the Soviet Government to the fact that its action against the Christian churches and people of Russia was not in accord with the British principle of justice and could not assist in maintaining friendship between Britain and Russia.

The Primate, Dr. Cosmo Lang, said this matter concerned him directly, both officially and personally. He referred to a solemn protest against religious persecution in Russia which he had made at the meeti.-jg of the Convocation of Canterbury on the previous day in the name of the Church of England and to the resolution of the bishops endorsing that protest. 1

Dr. Lang added, however, that thei bishops desired to dissociate their protest from the political issues which had been made. They felt that the force of their protest in the name of religion and humanity would be greater if it could noi be regarded as part of any political movement.

Government's Cautious Attitude.

Lord Parmoor, in replying for the Government, said he would not seek to deny the great importance of the question. It raised points of great difficulty smd responsibility, however. He agreed with the Primate' that it was their duty (o inquire into;, the accuracy of the statoments which had been made about the position in Russia. The primary difficulty from the political standpoint was that while Britain stood for religious liberty and against religious persecution she had to consider the matter from the constitutional position and allow in other countries the same liberty in masters of internal and domestic policy that she claimed for herself. It had been made the basis of any agreement which might be made between Britain and Russia that Britain should not interest herself in matters of internal or domestic

concern. In common with all parties in Britain the Government was fundamentally opposed to any form of religious persecution and it desired to promote by every legitimate means the sacred cause of freedom for all foqns of religious thought and action. But it must be very cai-eful what it did so that in the result it did not cause injury by increasing the persecution of the very persons whom it desired to protect. The Foreign Secretary would do all he could in the matter. He read the statement made by Mr. Henderson on the subject in the House of Commons.

LIST OF THE SLAIN,

AN APPALLING TOTAL.;

CLERICS, MONKS AND NUNS.

(Received February 14, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 13

It was stated recently on the authority of a high ecclesiastic of the Russian Church that 31 bishops, 1560 clergy and 7000 monks and nuns had been put to death in Russia, Kerensky states that 2000 churches were closed last year.

ATTACK ON THE POPE.

NEWSPAPER IN MOSCOW.

VIOLENT DENUNCIATION.

MOSCOW, Feb. 33

In a violent attack on Pope Pius, the Pravda says he is exploiting the capitalist, the friend of reaction and the enemy of the toiling masses. The newspaper continues:—"He has abandoned his earlier silence, which was prompted by the hope that the weakening of Orthodoxy would assist Catholicism. He spoke only when he was convinced that Russia was sweeping out all forms, of superstition, regardless of creed."