NAZI INSTRUCTORS IN ITALY Fear For Catholic Action

THE POPE'S PUBLIC REFERENCE, IN HIS CHRISTMAS ALLOCUTION, TO VATICAN-ITALIAN TENSION OVER CATHOLIC ACTION, CAME AS A SURPRISE TO MANY IN ITALY.
But though the existence of " incidents " is now not denied, it would be an exaggeration to say that Catholic Action was persecuted in Italy.
On the other hand, the growing Nazi influence in Italy is giving rise to a certain apprehension.
Our Correspondent Is reliably informed that 500 Nazi instructors have been imported into Italy to instill German thoroughness into the Fascist organisations.
It is being increasingly said that Sig. Mussolini is losing his grip and energy, and that he is relying more and more on extremists like Sig.
Staraee, secretary of the Fascist party.
The extreme Fascists are adopting the Nazi view that a large organised body, such as Catholic Action, cannot be tolerated in an authoritarian regime unless completely subordinated to the State.
Front 0 1.0* Own Correspondent
Rome.
Since the Holy Father's address on Christmas Eve, the world is aware that there is tension in Italy between Church and State with regard to Catholic Action.
The Pope's words of protest against insults hurled at Catholic Actionists in various parts of Italy came as a surprise to even well informed circles in Rome, but, as is well known, the Holy Father does not as a rule show hie speeches to anyone before he delivers them.
Nobody denies that the Holy Father spoke of facts. Members of Catholic Action have been interfered with by Fascists in Turin. Milan and some other towns.
NOT HEAVILY PENALISED
But, on the other hand, no further attacks have been reported, and what has happened should not be exaggerated so as to give the impression that Catholic Action in general has been he,avily penalised by the State.
Many well-informed persons in Rome have been commenting recently on the strong Nazi influence in the Italian Fascist Party.
TO TEACH GORMAN THOROUGHNESS One source, ordinarily extremely well informed, assures your correspondent that there arc in Italy at present 500 Nazi instructors who have COMe m
to introduce Gem man thoroughness into Fascist
The Nazi influence is apparent in the racial laws, and it is feared that Catholic Action will suffer from that influence.
There was a time when observers thought that the Italian end of the axis Would persuade the German to mitigate the State's treatment of Jews and Catholics in Germany.
But now it is Germany which influences Italian policy.
For example, take what Sig. Farinacci writes in the Regime Fascista with reference to Cardinal Mundelein's rebuke to Fr. Coughlin's radio talks on the Jews :
s SHADY BONDS " What better proof is wanted to show the shady bonds binding political Catholicism and Jewry together?"
Many people are saying that Mussolini is losing his grip and energy. He is said to be depressed, and the .infillenee of extremists like Storace end that of Nazism is applying the guidance for internal affairs.
The millions of people in Italy enrolled in the four groups of Catholic Action are waiting anxiously, but the general impression in the country is that Catholic Action is now too strong in
numbers for the Fascists to attack it directly.
STRENGTH OF CATHOLIC ACTION
The number of men enrolled in Catholic Action is not published, but as every village and town has it Catholic Action group the number must be some The number in all sections has risen steadily since 1931, when there was friction between Church and State on its score.
The active work of its members resembles very much that of the Legion of Mary in England and Ireland. It is ex-professo and actually non-political.
Why, then, was it attacked in 1931? Because there was a certain amount of excuse then (but no real justification) for saying that Catholic Action was related to the old democratic Partito Pop Warr.
NO EXCUSE, NOW
But since 1931 there is no shadow of excuse for accusing Catholic Action of meddling in politics. The only reason why the Fascist Party now finds the existence of Catholic Action annoying is the number of its adherents.
Such a large body of citizens to be in an organisation and under an Influence which is not Fascist (although nearly all C a t is o Actionists are Fascists at the same time) is contrary to a thoroughgoing Fascist outlook.