862.404/106

The Chargé in Germany (White) to the Secretary of State

No. 1699

Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that I have learned from a trustworthy and well-informed source that Reichsbishop Müller, a few days ago, invited various representatives of the foreign press to an informal reception, his apparent purpose being to justify his position in the present controversy.

The Embassy’s informant stated that Müller roundly denied any rumors of his resignation. He accused his opponents of not being sufficiently near to the people, forgetting apparently such persons as Pastor Niemöller97 and Dr. Bodelschwingh, the latter of whom is noted for his activities in the field of Social Service.

When questioned as to his attitude towards Rosenberg98 and the new paganism, he attempted to minimize the danger of the latter’s anti-Christian propaganda to German Protestantism by saying that Rosenberg’s criticisms were directed principally at the Roman Catholic Church. He appeared to feel that Rosenberg was merely a temporary phenomenon of the Nazi revolution who would eventually disappear. As for his own doctrines, he professed his belief in positive Christianity, but stated that an heroic and not a meek Christ should be preached, the Christ who drove the money changers from the temple, and not the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount. This statement is in complete accord with Nazi theories.

With reference to his views on the Aryan paragraph in the Church, he expressed regret that this worked hardship for Christianized Hebrews, but stated that for political reasons the measure must be maintained.

In the opinion of Embassy’s informant, both opposing camps are confronting each other with no idea of retreat. The position of the Confessionals is strong. When asked whether the Government might not intervene and arrest the leaders of the Confessionals, as has been rumored for many weeks (see despatch No. 1607 of December 22, 193499), he answered that he did not consider that such a step would be taken unless the opponents of the Confessionals seriously urged it. Thus far no reports of arrests have been received.

[Page 343]

According to accounts published in the foreign press, negotiations between the disputing groups have broken down and an obscure and confused situation prevails at present. It is also alleged that the Government has prepared a law providing for the separation of Church and State, action on which will depend on future developments in the church situation. This would imply that the Government would dissociate itself completely from the religious dispute and would refrain from taking any measures on behalf of Reichsbishop Müller. On the other hand the churches would be obliged to rely on themselves for financial assistance, a serious problem in Germany where this dependence upon the State has existed for centuries, and would probably be exposed even more to the propaganda of the anti-Christian elements, as under such conditions the State would have no interest in protecting them.

Respectfully yours,

J. C. White
  1. Organizer of the Pastors Emergency League in 1934, in opposition to the Nazi “German Christians.”
  2. Alfred Rosenberg, Head of the Foreign Political Office of the Nazi Party; editor of Völkischer Beobacter.
  3. Not printed.