SERVANT OF STATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21712, 30 January 1934, Page 9

SERVANT OF STATE

WHOLE GERMAN CHURCH NAZI AIM TO DOMINATE EAVESDROPPING ON PASTORS GOERING TAPS TELEPHONES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 29. 10.45 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 29 The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Reich Bishop Mueller has completely crushed opposition to the decree promulgated making himself dictator to which the heads of other churches have capitulated. An important factor in his victory has been the telephone tapping activities of General Goering's secret police. The conversations of the opposition pastors have been tapped and the phrases culled interpreted as showing disloyalty to Herr Hitler. The mass of the Inity are in ignorance as to the situation, because no papers are allowed to publish anything except Bishop' Mueller's statements. Protests from the pulpits and by meetings are also forbidden. The Protestant Bishop of Prussia, in accordance with his recent decree demanding implicit obedience and loyalty to himself, has suspended Pastor Niemoller, a "rebel" church leader, for the latter's failure to suppress disloyalty. With General Goering's aid, Bishop Mueller is determined to dominate the Prussian Church. He has suspended the Church Senate, also dissident pastors. He has deprived Pastor Niernoller of his pastorate. Bishop Mueller rules 19,000,000 German Protestants. Nazi leaders have announced their determination to support him. The entire property and funds of the People's "Union for a Catholic Germany, at Munchen-Gladbach, have been confiscated to the Prussian State. This is the final blow to the world's strongest Catholic organisation.