Evening star., 1947-03-16
Pope Fears
Red Menace
Believes Communists
Might Engulf
Europe
Bv Constantine Broacn

taintleS OF western Europe; un-
easiness at the shape of things to
come, uncertainty over what forces
will be modified against the ne*
totalitarianism which threatens to
sweep far beyond the iron curtain"
and engulf Europe to the English
Channel.
This uneasiness is evident not
only among the dignitaries OF the
Vatican who have to deal with po-
litical matters. Pope Plus XII him
self does not attempt to minimize
the dangers which are likely to be-
fall Western Europe if Moscow's
maneuverS are successful.
T was received by the pontif In a
40-minute private audience. Dur
ing the conversation, in which the
Holy Father displayed keen un-
derstanding of the situation in
Europe and other parts of the world,
he reminded me that he could not
be quoted. I was later informed,
however, that this did not mean
ban on discussion of some of the
facets of the world situation on
which he had expressed himself
with great frankness.
The position not only of the Cath
olic church but of all other religious
denominations behind the iron
curtain" has been steadily growing
worse, in spite of the reported lib
eralization of the Soviet govern
.1ent's policies toward freedom of
Worship
Priests Annoy Tito.
At the present time there is wide
spread persecution of all those who
wear the cassock in Yugoslavia and
Albania. Little news apparently
gets into the press concerning this
oppression. But private informa-
ton reaches the Vatican daily con-
corning the massacre, of scores Of
priests, principally Catholic, be-
cause Marshal Tito considers them
the principal obstacle to his auto
cratic rule.
Tito apparently is having more
difficulty in some sections of Yugo-
slavia than the outside world knows
about. The Chetniks have not been
completely stamped out, in spite of
the execution of Gen. Draja Mi
hailovich. In Croatia and Slovenia
there are number of centers where
the population is hostile to the
totalarianism of the Belgrade gov
ernment.
The easiest victims, of course, are
the priests who annoy Tito because
they refuse to place him ahead of
God. This is declared by the secret
police to be melting the population
to rebellion and disobedience, and
it's instigators-the "reactionary"
clergy-are being exiled or executed
after faxed trials.
Reports of these prosecutions
reach the Vatican through its un-
derground intelligence system. But
there is not much the holy see can
do about them. The courageous at
titude of the Vatican representa-
tive in Yugoslavia is of little avail.
Little wonder that the Pope repeats
frequently during conversation ex-
.>ressions of his anxiety.
Worried About Italy.
The Vatican, from the Pope down,
is very deeply concerned, of course,
over the future of Italy. The eco
nomic hardships which prevail in
this country can be and are being
alleviated, thanks to the diligence
of the rank and file of the Italian
people and support received from
the United States. But politically,
the holy see regards the situation
as obscure and threatening.
Communist leaders, provided with
ample funds from Russia, are taking
advantage of the indulgence of the
hard-hit people ard are making ex-
travagant promises which take deep
root, as in every country where there
is as much poverty as in present.
day Italy.
The Communists back these
promises with temporary help
through the co-operatives which
provide supplies at very low prices
for those who promise to vote the
Communist ticket. In some areas,
particularly in Southern Italy,
where these methods prove inef-
fective. terrorism is applied. This
is particularly true in places where
the police are corruptible or too
weak to oppose the Communists.
The terrorist activities of the
Communists, which are reminiscent
Of those employed by the Fascists
in the early days of Mussolini's re-
gime. are not widespread yet be-
cause of the presence of Allied
troops. Palmiro Togliatti and his
associates seem to fear that large
scale violence might jeopardize the
weak government of Alicide de Gas
peri, whom they wish to keep tenn
porarily in power.
Future Not Bright.
There are grave fears in Vatican
circles that after the last American
and British soldier has evacuated
Italy there will be no holding the
Communist muscle-men and that a
period of terror will ensue in which
the Communist minority will impose
its will on the majority.
Moreover, the Vatican fears that
If the opposition of the italian peo-
pie to Communist terrorism is
stronger than in countries behind
the Iron curtain" Togliatti will ac-
cept an active intervention by his
friend and former Comintern asso-
ciate in Moscow-Marshal Tito.
One is impressed with the ascetic
fear and gentle manner of Plus XII.
When he speaks of the irreconcilable
character of the conflict facing the