The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-04-29

II
They Recognize Wrong Dictator
Nazi Germany's action in trying to crush
out all vestiges Of the Christian religion was
almost inevitable in view of the situation which
has steadily been developing there ever since
Herr Hitler came to power.
The first step, it will be remembered, was
the attempt to set the power of the state above
that Of the church in matters of conscience. All
Christian churches were to teach what the state
ordered them to teach.
Not yet cowed by the atrocities which have
marked the Nazi path whenever they have en-
countered opposition within Germany, leaders
of both the Protestant and Catholic churches
refused to obey. Some of them were sent to
prison as result, usually on other charges, and
the matter Jagged.
Hitler arrived at an agreement with the
Vatican regarding the Catholic right to conduct
their own affairs but the attack on Christian
ity then swung to the Protestant Christians.
Less well united than the Catholics, they were
easier prey. Despite brave self-sacrifice and
suffering for their chosen religion, they were
brought unde the domination of Hitler's Reich
bishop Mueller. There still was and is opposi-
ton, but it is mute. Protestant Germany fell
beneath the heel of the dictator. There was no
immediate attempt to change the essential doc
trines Of Christianity, but the organization
was Nazified.
Then came the reunion of Hitler with Won
Ludendorff, aged war hero whose religion now
Is one devised by his wife after extensive read
ing of German folklore. Germany would be
better, thinks the general, if the old pagan gods
were restored. Hitler, born Catholic, appar-
emily has been converted. Anti-Christian raj
lies now being held throughout Germany appar-
emily have his approval.
But before Germany can be paganized the
Catholics must be crushed. They, along with
the already badgered Protestants, must be de-
MED the privilege of reading their religious
papers. They must be cowed by arrest and
persecution on trumped-up civil charges, just
as their Protestant fellow Christians have been.
Why this is being done is not difficult to
Imagine. A regime such as Hitler's must have
enemies upon which to heap castigation. If
there is no real political opposition, enemies
must be manufactured that the populace may
see the might Of the government in knocking
them down. # there is no fighting, the people
may lose the fine frenzy into which they have
been whipped and do some reasonable thinking.
Hitler, the master demagogue, feels that
would be dangerous. Lacking the qualities
which have made thousands of Christians die
for their faith, he cannot understand that those
qualities still exist.
But the probability is that they do and
that, though he may achieve temporary sue
cess, his anti Christian program will fail and
Nazidom will 60 down, too
Stronger and ADLER men than Hitler have
attempted to crush Christianity and all Of them
have failed. His fight is not against one sect
or one credal organization but against PRIN-
CIPLE which is as virile today as it was when
first the breath Of life was blown into it from
the Cross Of Calvary.
Christians in this and other countries may
sympathize with their hard-pressed brothers in
Germany but they need have no fear Of the
eventual outcome. All Of the tortures which
Hitler knows have been used in efforts to sup
press Christianity-a al Of them have failed.
The ch,sf psoh,am Of tho Republican party 4 vtsth.
e a Ss eoua h r as1 = q re
nbogn1 than the Democrats.
v 4 q believed, according 70 Pittsburgh dspatch
hat tn lioh discovered this country six centuries b..
eoro 0olunabm. Think how cloee Il came e being
O11erics. land of tiss ysss stass.
Nattonal safety Council announces yow chances Of
being injured this year IN N auto acctdent 70
~ That 4. of colir1o 4 you Uve - tt 1soggla11A
q