NAZIS AND RELIGION

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18987, 3 July 1933, Page 7

NAZIS AND RELIGION

HITLER’S PROSELYTISM, A STRANGE STORY. MAY JOIN EVANGELICALS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. C-pyright. BERLIN, July 1. Reports to the effect that the Chancellor, Herr Hitler, intends to abandon Roman Catholicism are stated to be untrue. The strange story was circulated that Herr Hitler had decided fo do this and to join the new German National Evangelical Church when the Rev. Mueller has finished its reorganisation. This story was attributed to Mueller. It was stated also that Herr Hitler had decided to urge all German Roman Catholics to follow his example. Evangelical circles expressed tho opinion that Herr Hitler’s proselytism would bo a dramatic feature of tho national celebrations on the 450th anniversary of Luther’s birth —OotobeiJ 10. The police had closed the offices of all Catholic societies and oluba considered to be political and have seized numerous documents. A message from Rome states that the Vice-Chancellor, Herr von Papen, had three conversations with Prefeot Cardinal Pacelli. It is understood that he gave explanations of Herr Hitler’s attitude to the Roman Catholics and broached the question of a concordat* LATER. ACQUIESCENT BODIES. DECREE TO DISSOLVE. PATIENTLY AWAITING EVENTS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright* (Received July 3, 8-45 a.m.) BERLIN, July 2. The Catholio Centrists have decided to dissolve and patiently await Herr Hitler’s conditions. With the official dissokvtion a completely ‘‘totalitarian” state will have been attained. The Christian People’s Party has also voluntarily dissolved. The chief anxiety of the Centreists relates to the fate of their large number of Reichstag deputies who wish, admission to the Nazi ranks, but ara hardly likely to be accepted. HITLER AND THE VATICAN. CONCORDAT NEGOTIATIONS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright -—'(Received July 3, 9-30 a.m.) LONDON, July 2. A message from the Britslh United Press correspondent in Vatican City says a concordat with the Hitler Government is virtually concluded. It consists of 32 points, 27 of which it is understood already are initialled. The Pope will receive Herr von Papen, the German representative after the concordat has been initialled* probably on Monday. CONCORDAT CONCLUDED. HITLER GIVES ASSURANCE, f AGREEMENT BY THE POPE, . United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received July 3, 12.30 p.m.) ,J VATICAN CITY, July 2, I It Is understood that Cardinal Pacelli and Herr von Papen reaohed a concordat in principle between the Vatican and Germany, linking up the existing Vatican agreements with Prussia. Bavaria and Baden. It is presumed that Herr Hitler will give adequate assurances In connection with Catholic education. The Pope is expected 'to agree to the dissolution of the Centre Party subject to guarantees.