The existence in New York of a very active “cell” of the German Hitlerites was revealed today through the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The Nationalist-Socialist group in New York is in direct contact with Adolph Hitler, leader of the Fascist movement in Germany. Following the “protoplasmic” structure of the Hitler organization, which consists of party “cells” that rapidly generate new “cells,” which in turn increase, the New York unit is already organizing a Chicago group. It is planned to organize Hitler “cells” in all large German settlements in the United States.
The local group consists of about fifty members. All are young, and vigorously nationalistic. Meetings are held every Friday evening in a basement at 303 E. 81st Street.
The group is pledged to aid in every way in carrying forward the Hitler program. Whatever German influence can be brought to bear in America toward the abolishment of the Young Plan and toward the cancelling of reparations will be used, a member said.
In regard to the most sensational of the Hitler party planks, the anti-Semitic stand, the group, though expressing full concurrence and sympathy, pursues the policy that “we don’t have to make a special anti-Semitic campaign in America as everybody in America is against the Jews anyway.”
“JEWS UNFAIR IN BUSINESS”
The member who was interviewed on this subject explained the anti-Semitism of the members by saying “the Jews are unfair in business. Everybody knows that.” He intimated that the National-Socialists, while refraining from an active anti-Semitic campaign in New York, would not hesitate to take part in general anti-Semitic propaganda and activity.
The meeting room of the group is in a long basement whose walls are plastered with photographs of Hitler and with violent posters showing big-muscled Germans smashing a high-hatted gentleman labelled “Young Plan.” Members, on entering, raise their right arms in a salute resembling the Fascist salute, and say “Heit!” A long table is spread all along the wall. Here the young men and women sit, drinking beer and singing songs out of the official Hitler songbook.
SING ANTI-SEMITIC SONGS
The songs are all violent in character. The name of Hitler is repeated as though it were the name of God. Again and again they pledge themselves to “follow Hitler even unto death.” In many songs, anti-Semitic lines occur. Sentiments such as these are repeated:
“No Jewish eye shall dare behold German maid with hair of gold.”
Again they sing, “Hitler will give us back the property and the wealth that is our right. No Jew shall have our wealth.” In another song occurs the promise that “Hitler’s boot will kick out the Jews.”
All of the talking and singing is in German. Few of the members understand English.
Dues, and special funds collected, are sent to Germany to aid the Nationalist-Socialist party.
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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.
