COMMUNIST THREAT DISTURBS GERMANY

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 1

COMMUNIST THREAT DISTURBS GERMANY

PROPOSAL TO ORGANISE ANTI-EASTER MEETINGS. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received March 31, 9 a.m.) BERLIN, March 30. Religious opinion throughout Germany is deeply concerned regarding the Communists’ proposal to hold, under orders from Moscow, anti-Easter meetings. The Minister for the Interior now states that the recent decree empowers the prevention of demonstrations. At the same time, the Minister has urged religious bodies to modify their attitude towards their opponents. The decree was first used to-day, when a police official summarily stopped a meeting of the Communist Proletarian Free Thinkers’ League in Berlin, whereupon a member of the Communist concert party appeared, dressed as a priest* and performed a step-dance. The attendance of several thousands at first uproariously resented the police interference, but later dispersed quietly. —“ Times ” cable.

Following serious affrays between the nazis and Communists in Germany, President von Hindenburg issued a drastic emergency decree aiming at the suppression of political rowdyism. The decree forbids the wearing of political badges and uniforms, and also suspends the right of meeting and the formation of societies. It establishes postal and telegraphic secrecy, and authorises the police to search houses.