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Ford Seeks Suppression of “international Jew” in Latin-american Countries

March 16, 1942
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Acting upon instructions from Henry Ford, the lawyers of the Detroit auto magnate are now taking measures to suppress the circulation in Latin-American countries of the anti-Semitic book, “The International Jew,” a Spanish edition of which is being spread by Nazi agents in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and other countries of the Western Hemisphere, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was assured here today.

“The cowardly and insidious propaganda to which you refer had been previously called to Mr. Ford’s attention and we have been doing everything that is humanly possible to stop it,” Mr. I. A. Capizzi, Mr. Ford’s attorney, said. He condemned “the treacherous men who seek to cause disharmony by sowing seeds of intolerance in the name of the man who is doing more than any other one manufacturer to protect our tolerant way of life.”

Spanish editions of “The International Jew” giving Henry Ford as the author, have been printed in Argentina for the last three years, the last edition reaching 25,000 copies. An edition of the book has also been published in Barcelona.

APPEALS TO MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO FORBID CIRCULATION OF ANTI-SEMITIC BOOK

Mr. Capizzi, acting on behalf of Henry Ford, addressed himself to Senor Miguel Aleman, Minister of Interior of Mexico, asking the Mexican Government to take measures against the dissemination of “The International Jew” in Mexico. The letter reads:

“On behalf of Mr. Henry Ford, as his legal representative, I write you relative to the alleged circulation in Mexico City and Pueblo, of a pamphlet entitled ‘El Judio Internacional por Henry Ford’.

“I understand that this is the pernicious work of the German propaganda department attempting to undermine the esteem which the Mexican public have for the United States Government, by circulating a misleading and deceitful republication of articles that were retracted by Mr. Ford in 1928 and at that time disclaimed by him as being an expression of his sentiments.

“Although a copy of this pamphlet is not at our disposal, I understand that it indicates that Mr. Henry Ford is the author. This is a gross misrepresentation, because Mr. Ford in 1928 publicly denied that these articles were approved by him before their original publication, and denies that they were an expression of his views or opinions.

“In the intervening years, Mr. Ford has been diligent in his efforts to suppress any attempt to renew the circulation of these articles. Therefore, in this instance, any assistance which your office can render in effecting the cessation of this harmful exhibition of deceit and misrepresentation will be greatly appreciated.”

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