The German-American National Alliance of Chicago, whose regular broadcasts over Station WHIP will cease this week by order of the station owners, has used threatening language in its broadcasts in an effort to induce citizens to join the organization, also known as the Einheitsfront (United Front), it was recalled today.
The station owners yesterday notified Paul A.F. Warnholz, director of the Einheits-front, that the station would not broadcast the “German Hour” sponsored by the organization because its present tenor “is of such controversial nature as to make it unacceptable to many leading Americans.”
In the broadcasts last week the organization issued an urgent summons to all members and listeners to attend Sunday’s mass meeting at Soldiers Field during which Col. Charles Lindbergh advocated American cooperation with Germany if she wins the war.
The Einheitsfront has boldly admitted its separatist aims and its Reich-oriented platform. Its broadcasts have defended the “oppressed” German-American minority and warned listeners to join the alliance now so that when the “oppressed minority” is in control of the nation they may not be considered enemies.
In his regular radio talk on July 9, Dr. W.H. Silge, optometrist, of 4001 Lincoln Ave., a director of the organization, said:
“I have made it clear time and again how urgent it is for every (U.S.) citizen of German descent to join the Einheitsfront, thus furthering cooperation among America’s Germandom…Our protection depends on closest unity among ourselves. Those who join our Einheitsfront in good time may discard all fear. Apprehension of the future impends only for those who stubbornly remain on the side lines. Nothing can stop this great movement of ours any longer. However, it can be accelerated still further if every citizen of German descent will join our Einheitsfront without delay.”
Although the broadcasts have emphasized the American allegiance of the members, persons urging aid to the Allies in their fight against Hitler have been called warmongers and otherwise attacked. The “German Hour” has been on the air daily since last February. The alliance has kept its weekly payments of about $400 for radio time paid up two weeks in advance. The programs have been about 99 per cent in the German language. Homer H. Maertz, member of the local anti-Semitic Silver Shirt chapter, who was arrested in October, 1939, for terroristic anti-Jewish activities, was one of the founders of the alliance.
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.
