NAZI OUTRAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21516, 13 June 1933, Page 8

NAZI OUTRAGE

The murderous hand of the Nazis has now been turned against the Roman Catholic Church. Delegates to its congress in Munich, including some foreigners, were brutally attacked, a priest was done to death in front of the cathedral and the gathering has been abandoned. Probably the excuse will be made that the outrage was committed by an irresponsible band, but it will be difficult to believe that it was not deliberately planned and carried out with the knowledge of the local leaders. They have received their commissions from Herr Hitler, who cannot escape the condemnation of the civilised world. The persecution of the Jews was cold-blooded official policy, part of the "purification" of Germany, and a means of upholding the Nordic supremacy. Hundreds of Jews were murdered, thousands were driven out of the country. But Nazi fury has not abated. Already there was evidence that Churches were to be brought under Nazi domination. The Lutheran Church was given to understand that it would be expedient for it to elect a president who supported the Hitler regime. It defied the "order" and affirmed its independence. Why the Roman Catholic Church should now be singled out for persecution is difficult to understand. The ViceChancellor belongs to it. The probability is that it has not submitted to Nazi dictation. Whatever the reason, it cannot justify this shocking crime. When denouncing the campaign against the Jews, Professor Haldanc declared that Nazi rule might become worse than Bolshevism. The attack on the Roman Catholic priesthood bears out his words. It is impossible for the British mind to understand the mentality disclosed. It is a repetition of the wartime "frightfulness" which has so often been denied. Herr Hitler's " tolerance " apparently means nothing. He has had ample time to deal with his henchmen who have committed excesses and to have disciplined his forces. His power is supreme, but he has not used it fo good purpose. Hence the man-hunt goes on and even a sacred edifice is no sanctuary.