USTRI N CARDINAL'S 'DIFFERENCE OF VIEW' WITH VATICAN NOT CLEARED

Useful Propaganda In German Plebiscite
Will Hitler Keep His Word This Time
WORLD INTEREST THIS WEEK HAS BEEN CENTRED ON AN A IEMPT TO RECONCILE NAZISM WITH CHRISTIANITY.
THE GERMAN PROBLEM IN ITS MANY ASPECTS —MINORITIES, REFUGEES, CHURCH AND STATE — IS PLACED BEFORE OUR READERS ON THIS PAGE.
Cardinal Innitzer, Primate of Austria, returned to Vienna after his sudden visit to Rome, and voted in the plebiscite last Sunday.
Despite his statement, published in German in the Osservatore Romano, that his declaration in favour of the union of Germany and Austria must not be used as a piece of Nazi propaganda, the Nazis have, in fact, continued to do so.
Similar publicity was given to his order that church bells should be rung and swastika flags flown on church towers in honour of the plebiscite.
These actions of the Cardinal, together with his Heil Hitler! salute as he entered and left the polling booth on Sunday suggest that he has faith in the promises of Herr Hitler, and believes that it is best for the Church in Austria to accept the fait accompli with a good grace.
French Catholics continue to be scandalised by the attitude Cardinal Innitzer has adopted.
The editor of La Croix, Fr. Leon Merklen, representing without a doubt the view of a large proportion of the French clergy, writes in an outspoken editorial article : " Cardinal Innitzer did not wait for the results of the plebiscite, he put pressure on Catholics, and pronounced in favour of the new regime before it had been officially accepted by the people.
" This is an enormity."
Cardinal Innitzer's interview with Herr Hitler, on Saturday night, does not appear to have changed the situation.
Herr Hitler made no reference to the religious question in his ante-plebiscite speech, and Cardinal lnnitzer allowed himself to be decorated, after casting his vote on Sunday, with the badge "One Reich, One People, One Fuhrer."
This contrasts strangely with the 1933 Manifesto signed by the Austrian hierarchy, in which it is stated:— " In defending itself against National-Socialism not only is the Christian government of Austria defending its legitimate political rights and interests, it is also erecting a powerful barrier against any further penetration of the religious errors of the (Nazi) party."
TWO OUTSTANDING POINTS
From Our Diplomatic Correspondent The "difference of 'view " between the Vatican and the Austrian Bishops does not yet appear to have been satisfactorily cleared up.
But two points are outstanding. In the first place Cardinal Innitzer's attitude has assured the overwhelming success of the plebiscite, though it is uncertain how far his positive pro-Nazi attitude was necessary for the purpose. In Germany where the Hierarchy kept silent an equally good result was obtained.
Secondly the German Government unashamedly made use of the Cardinal's attitude for its propaganda value while deliberately hushing up the Cardinal's safeguards.
Thus not a word was printed anywhere about the Cardinal's statement, issued after his interview with the Pope, that the Bishops' exhortations were not binding in conscience and must not be used as propaganda.
Moreover all foreign papers printing this news were confiscated.
As commentators in Rome and other Catholic countries remark, these precautions came somewhat late in the day and the Germans might well be excused for supposing that Cardinal Innitzer did not put as much weight on them as on his previous encouragements to Catholics to vote " Yes."
These views are reinforced by the Cardinal's subsequent behaviour.
Interview with Hitler
On Saturday afternoon the Cardinal saw the Fuhrer and had a long conversation with him.
Though no mention of this interview was made in the press, it was understood that the Cardinal put before Herr Hitler the four points insisted on by the Vatican and exhorted him to change his religious policy.
That the outcome of the interview was negative rather than positive is inferred from the double fact that Hitler made no reference to the religious question in his eve-of-the-poll speech and that the Cardinal in no way diminished his apparent enthusiasm for the Nazi side.
There is, however, a growing hope in Viennese Catholic circles that a new regime for German Catholics is in prospect, and it is thought that the Vatican's refusal to do more than make clear its insistence on certain precautions proves that it entertains the same hopes.
Propaganda The German Press, instead of accepting the Cardinal's demands that the attitude of the Church should not be used as propaganda, broadcast the information that the Archbishop of Salzburg had ordered the beflagging of the churches, presbyteries and confessional schools for the plebiscite day, and it reproduced the photograph of the Bishop of Carinthia, Mgr. Hetter, saluting the Earedat Klagen Furth. Meanwhile one of the aims of the Reich, to force the German Hierarchy to imitate their Austrian brethren, was proving unsuccessful.
The Best it Could Do The best that the German Press could do on this matter was to print the following communication:
" The Bavarian Bishops," it wrote, " have ordered the church bells to be rung after the Vienna manifestation on Saturday evening. By this measure they have recognised the historic world importance of April It), and have solemnly engaged the Catholic people to accomplish its patriotic duty and to pray for the good and the future of the great German Reich as well as for its Fuhrer and for a peaceful collaboration between Church and State."
Cardinal Innitzer gave permission for the swastika flags to be flown on churches on plebiscite day, and he himself was an early voter at the Stubenbastel polling booth near his palace.
The Cardinal Votes
He was recognised and taken in at once to vote. He gave the Hitler salute before voting and afterwards a young Nazi pinned on his breast the badge: " One Reich, One People, One Fuhrer." The Cardinal, having once again given the salute, then returned to his palace.
No report has been received of any official encouragement to congregations to vote at the Sunday services.
Taking Hitler at His Word
It is evident that Cardinal Innitzer has taken the Fuhrer and his advisers at their word and that the Vatican has been impressed by his assurances while maintaining a great reserve and independence of judgment.
Certain high officials there are extremely critical, but the Holy Father himself, it is said, is too anxious for the restoration of essential Catholic rights in Germany to forego what opportunity is now offered until the last hope is dashed.
The future alone can show whether Cardinal Innitzer was wise, but it is likely that no essential change will be made one way or another until Hitler's visit to Rome.