Nazi activities in this country have been brought to a head by the first open attack on the Jews of America by the Friends of New Germany, Hitler organization in the United States, which has proclaimed a boycott on the Jews. The following is the first of a series of articles detailing the rise and growth of the Nasi-inspired anti-Semitic movement in this country in all its ramifications. The articles are based on an exhaustive investigation of Nazi propaganda activities in this country and in Germany for a period of over a year.
Is America going Nazi?
Will the liberal Democratic government of the nation be able to survive the Fascist trend which during the last year has risen in alarming crescendo? Will the government be able to expose the subversive methods now being employed by Nazi agitators throughout the country and suppress insurrection which has been planned by Nazi revolutionaries?
These questions will be answered during the next year, for American Nazis, now having completed their initial organization program, are preparing to strike for political mastery of the country. All that remains for America to entertain a political party similar to that which catapulted Hitler into power in Germany is the completion of negotiations now under way for the merger of political loose ends.
Under the direct inspiration of German agitators, their disciples and proteges in the League of Friends of New Germany and allied German American groups are striving for unity among revolutionary groups in the United States. They hope that before 1935 is over the following groups will have agreed upon a definite set of policies, Fascist in nature, to allow them to present a united front as the Fascist Party of the United States:
The Silver Legion.
The Crusaders For Economic Liberty.
The Khaki Shirts.
The Order of ’76.
The Ku Klux Klan.
Senator Long’s Limitation of Wealth Association.
The Continental Congress.
The Liberty Party.
The Nationalist Party (N. Y.)
The Nationalist Party (Texas)
The United States Fascist Union.
Full details of efforts to incorporate these and many other groups will be given in succeeding articles. It is to be remarked here that many disgruntled Communistic, Socialistic, and Republican elements are being swung into the new Fascist forces. They believe that only a Fascist group can successfully oppose the present administration, which by virtue of considerable restoration of economic normalcy has consolidated its position with the well-informed, content, and right-thinking masses.
RACE ISSUE STRESSED
A survey of the policies of the above organizations indicates that a large majority of them entertain the racial policies of the Nazi government in Germany as well as other features that are related to the National Socialism of Adolf Hitler. This together with the fact that the motivating force in the effort at amalgamation comes either directly or indirectly from Berlin through its League of Friends of New Germany and allied groups will be a powerful influence in Hitlerizing American Fascism.
Among American Fascists the hope prevails that the future history of this country will be a recapitulation of the last three years of political developments in Germany. In Germany, it will be remembered, the Nazi Party turned the red of Communism to the brown of the National Socialism, and with growing strength became enriched by a flow of members from all competing parties. The promise of reward to those who joined the Nazi Party and threats of concentration camp for those who opposed it respectively attracted those susceptible to remuneration and stampeded into panicky allegiance the more timid members of other parties. Some such situation prevails in this country today.
The extent to which Nazi intrigue has developed is amazing. It is credible only because of the evidence which now rests in the hands of authorities appointed to act on the Nazi menace of American civilization. Nazi attempts to undermine and corrupt American military forces recently were disclosed to the Jewish Daily Bulletin by Congressman Charles Kramer of California, a member of the special congressional committee to investigate Nazi operations in the United States.
Stating that the War Department was aware of the development, but refusing to name the conspirators “because the release of full details at this time would jeopardize the success of the committee’s investigation,” Kramer revealed that bribes had been offered to and to some extent accepted by officers of the United States Army in Southern California. He also charged that attempts had been made to corrupt the morale of the Navy, but he said that evidence had not developed to such extent that definite charges might be made at this time.
NAZIS AND SILVER SHIRTS
Kramer cited the Nazis and Silver Shirt organizations operating throughout Southern California as the parties which had attempted to bribe army officers.
“Those seeking to undermine and corrupt our military forces,” Kramer said, “are operating under the cloak of law enforcing groups, quite forgetful of the fact that our regular police departments have proven themselves capable of preserving peace and order in the United States. They are working for their own selfish ends and are purely destructive groups.”
In subsequent articles evidence of attempted corruption of American defense forces will be given in greater detail.
Among the most violent and strongest of the Fascist groups opposing the present administration is the Silver Legion, a militant organization under the direction of William Dudley Pelley, members are sworn to destroy the present economic and political systems of the United States and to war on American Jewry. The number of Silver Shirts throughout the United States is variously reckoned at between 30,000 and 200,000. the number be estimated by the number who receive the magazine Liberation weekly, organ of the group, and two other publications, the Silver Legion may aggregate about 140,000; but a large number of the subscribers, it is quite certain, take the magazine only because they are amused at the fanaticisms which appear therein or because they wish to keep informed on the development of the movement. Pelley claims to have members in every state in the union.
IN LEAGUE WITH BERLIN
Evidence has accrued to prove that the Silver Shirts are directly in league with the Friends of New Germany, a covering organization for Hitler’s storm-troops in this country. Through the aid and support of this German connection and through direct contact with the Hitler government Pelley has made efforts to secure men, money and arms for his American revolution. He has already attempted to have side arms and rifles imported from Germany, as will be shown later in this series.
One of the most interesting phases of the development of the Fascist forces is the manner in which newspapers are being bought, bribed, or tricked into becoming propaganda carriers for the Nazi form of government. Throughout the entire country newspapers, particularly German newspapers, which a few months ago were on the verge of economic collapse, have now become flourishing publications with their respective (not net paid) circulations ever widening.
Among the classes most severely affected by the growing strength of the Nazis is American Jewry. Because they present the strongest front in opposing measures now being undertaken by the insurgents in their bid for power, Jews have become the object of attack of practically all anti-government forces. In the platforms of a number of organizations, “Big Jews” are distinguished from “Little Jews” in the form of punishment to be meted out on the Fascist arrival, but it is safe to assume that the lot of any Jew, be he big, little, or middle-sized in the Fascist persecutionary list, would not differ from that of German Jews of all ranks.
In laying the groundwork and in leavening the public mind to Fascist policies, the United States mails have been swelled with revolutionary propaganda aimed at the Jews. Chain letters have been introduced into the mails bearing scurrilous charges against the Jews. The charges, for the most part fabrications, will be recognized as such by intelligent persons who receive them; but, such is the psychology of propaganda, converts to anti-Semitism are bound to be brought into the fold.
While Washington, D. C., is itself without a Fascist problem or any considerable anti-Jewish sentiment, forces are at work there wittingly and unwittingly carrying the fight of the Fascists into the vary capical of the nation. Activities of the Fascists and anti-Semites in the capital are quiet and for that reason dangerous.
What can be done about the rising trend of Fascism in the United States? This reporter’s inquiry thus far has found no authorized body willing to take the responsibility of nipping a Hitler form of Fascism in the bud. Unless proper measures are taken by the authorities, or unless some now unforeseen development interferes with the rapid growth of revolutionary forces, America may shortly have a palpable persecutionary and Fascist problem on its hands.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
