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CATHOLIC BISHOPS
GERMAN DECLARATION
Attitude towards 'Elections
CONFLICT OF CONSCIENCE
BERLIN, Sunday. — Catholic Bishops
have ordered a declaration to be read
in all churches regarding the elections
on March 29. which are beinc held to
ijpeure the nation's endorsement of the
occupation of the Rhineland. The de
claration says: "Bishops realise that
German Catholics, as much as anyone,
passionately desire to proclaim their
patriotism before the world. Neverthe
less, the election produces a painful
conflict of conscience as the vote might
appear to imply approval of the Gov
ernment's anti-church and anti-Chris
tian measures. Accordingly, to enable
a decided affirmative vote to result,
Catholics may give a vote for the
Fatherland, but that does not imply
approval of things which their con
science could not justify."
A list of 1035 election candidates has
been published,- although, on the basis
of a member for every 60,000 votes,
only about 600 can be elected. Herr
Hitler heads the list, followed by 58,'
including General Goering and Herr
Goebbels, and all Nazi leaders, who are
assured of election. Thereafter comes
the "miscellaneous", list, including Herr
Ribbentrop, Herr Thyssen, and other
men prominent in public life, among
which electors may choose, but the
- majority are Nazis. Deputies who are
non-Nazis include Von Hugenberg and
Von Papen.
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