GERMANY TO-DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20096, 1 May 1935, Page 9

GERMANY TO-DAY

CLERGYMAN’S IMPRESSIONS By TelegraDh—Press Association PALMERSTON NORTH, April 30. Observations relating to the conditions in Germany and the schism in the church in that country, were made by Pastor J. P. C. Legaard, of the Lutheran Church, Brisbane, who is now on his way to. Australia, after a long visit to Europe. In an interview, during his visit here, he said: “I felt I could not breathe freely in Germany, and was greatly relieved when I went over the border into Denmark or France. After three visits of a week’s duration, my personal oAr' : on. though it may be wrong, is that there is p n atmosphere of nervousness, a cloud of depression, not financial, hanging over everything.” Regarding the Lutheran Church, Pastor Legaard said that Herr Hitler had sought to use the church for his own ends, and his followers broke away to establish the Reich Church. Those who resisted Herr Hitler and refused to throw in their lot, had remained staunch adherents to the confessional, or the true Lutheran Church, but were being sadly oppressed. Propaganda work was proceeding on an extensive scale. Hitlerites came to tile doors to sell tickets for certain objects and refusal meant that the occupant’s name and address were taken by what was really a spy organisation. The householder was reported to the authorities and placed on the black list. The German national policy was carried to extremes in the border districts, the need for propaganda being far greater there than in Berlin itself. The cost of living was very high. Militarism was to be seen everywhere. The opinion expressed by Pastor Legaard was that despite Germany’s military spirit, there was not immediate danger of conflict, but her policy was causing a lot of worry, and there was pin-pricking on the borders. Though there was little danger of war at present, he would not be surprised if the situation changed greatly within two years. The Polish Corridor question was a constant source of irritation. Herr Hitler’s palace was heavily guarded