Argentine Jews Alarmed over Efforts to Minimize Anti-semitic Events

A leading spokesman for Argentine Jewry expressed alarm today over efforts by the Argentine Government to minimize the extent of the anti-Jewish manifestations here because of their effect on public opinion abroad.

Dr. Isaac Goldenberg, president of DAIA, the central Argentine Jewish representative organization, told a press conference today that the statement by Minister of the Interior Alvaro Alsogaray that the Government intended to repress the anti-Semitic manifestations was “encouraging.” He warned, however, that as long as the Government permitted the formation and training of Nazi groups as assault troops, “there will exist the danger of physical aggression against Jews even if this might not be called ‘anti-Semitism.”

Dr. Goldenberg advised the Argentine Jewish community that although it was well-organized, it was imperfectly prepared for the abnormal times through which Latin America is living. He noted that the anti-Semitic process was prolonged and the manifestations would not soon subside. The community, he said, had reacted to them emotionally, rather than rationally and he said that, under existing conditions, the community must not rest.

The Government announced today the appointment of Carlos Alberto Muzzio, a retired Army colonel, as Chief of the Federal Police. Col. Muzzio, who was director of prisons, succeeds Captain Enrique Horacio Green, a naval officer, who failed to halt the anti-Jewish incidents.

New anti-Jewish incidents were reported as the Government announcement was being made. The newspaper La Razon reported from Bahia Blanca that an unsuccessful bomb attempt had been made at the Circulo Zionist community center there. The walls of the building were smeared with swastikas and anti-Jewish slogans.