The Churches in Germany The apparent collapse of the resistance
of the dissident Bishops in Germany before the Reichsbishop, Dr. Milner, is so remarkable in its suddenness and completenesa that it may be doubted whether the full truth is known yet. It mist be remembered that nothing but official statements on the subject may appear in the' German Press. The surrender appears to be the 'result partly Of-accusations by General-Goering, who had the tdephone line of the dissident leader, Dr. Niemoeller, tapped (One of the practices the new ?time has made familiar) and partly of threats that the revenue of the Churches, which is collected through State machinery, would be withheld. The Government was clearly anxious that an appearance of victory both over the dissident Protestants and the too zealous monarchists should be achieved before the national anniversary last Tuesday, and an announcement of victory was therefore officially issued a few. days earlier. But Dr. Frick, the Minister of the Interior, is known to dissent from the policy of repression which General Goering' favours in Prussia. So, what is more important, does the Chancellor himself, and messages from Berlin despatched after the alleged victory suggest that -the main body Of the dissidents is still standing firm. It may be doubted whether either Protestant or Roman Catholic independence is crushed yet. * *
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