Evening star., 1942-07-18

men in Europe and In this country.
Synagogue Council of America, in
rabbis Of the country, said that Jews
in Central and Eastern Europe
count their Lidices in the hun
dreds." Prior to the massacre of all
the male inhabitants Of Lidice,
Czechoslovakia, the foreign depart
ment of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America re-
ceiyed reports to the effect that 10
communities in Poland had been
similarly wiped out by the Nazis.
Cardinal Hinsley of England, in a
broadcast to Europe last week, is re-
ported to have said that in Poland
alone the Nazis have massacred 70O,-
900 Jews without semblance OF
trial. and he called on German
Christians to resist the black deeds
of shame the Nazis are committing
in Poland" According to the Stock
holm press, $4,000 Jews were ma
chine gunned in Wilma, Lithuanla, IL
the period between May and 20
last, Many other reports indicate
that the Nazis have embarked upon
a systematic campaign to exterml-
nate the Jewish masses In thesoc-
cupied countries.
So alarming has the situation be-
come that the Catholic press OF the
few remaining neutral countries,
notably Sweden, Switzerland ana
Portugal. is said to be publishing
fervent appeals to Pope Plus to in
tervene with the Nazi government
in an attempt to stop the mass
slaughter of Jews. A previous re-
port from Geneva said that a dele
cation of Swiss Catholics was on
it's way to Rome to plead with the
Pope to intervene for the same pur-
pose.
The Synagogue Council Of Amer
lea, which represents orthodox, con-
servative and reformed Jewish re-
ligious groups, has set aside a day
of grief and mourning for these
victims of wholesale slaughter: 1t
is dedicating the forthcoming last
of Tisha b'Av, which falls on Thurs
day, July %, as a special day OF
mourning and prayers. Tisha b'Av
marks the destruction OF ancient
Jerusalem and its temples and the
loss of Jewish freedom. Ia many
communities Christian leaders are
expected to join with Jews on this
occasion to express their horror over
the massacres in Europe.
Bastille Day.
Bastille Day had its religious side
lights. No information is available
as to how the churches Of France
marked the anniversary. but in Eng
land an unusual step was taken by
the Methodist Conference. which
happened to be holding Its annual
meeting at the same time. After
debate the conference refused to
send Bastille Day greetings to Mar
shal Petain but voted to send q
message to Gen. de Gaulle only.
Thus the Methodists, in effect, gave
their backing to the cause Of the
lighting French and snubbed Vichy.
The Methodist message voiced q
prayer that the "tide Of invading
barbarism may speedily be turned"
The conference also heard a re-
port to the effect that five cat Of
seven Methodist missionary dis
tricts have been "overrun by the
enemy and the premises taken over"
The fact that all missionaries had
remained at their posts created
great impression, the report said.
In another action the Methodists
called for q new charter of edu-
cation in Britain, which would re-
move disabilities arising out of class
distinction" and would provide
equality of education for the poor
est children.
The Methodists by this action con-
tinue movement for equality of
education which has been started