Investigation Reveals Two German Hakenkreuzler Branches in New York

That there are two anti-Semitic German organizations in New York, which together have 150 members and which, though in existence for several years have had little effect on the German colony here, was revealed recently after an investigation made as a result of a news letter to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency by Mrs. Israel Davidson, who was an eye-witness to the Hakenkreuzler convention in Nuremberg, Germany, last summer, and who saw in a Nuremberg paper a letter of greeting to the convention from the “New York National Socialists” signed by Heinrich Baer.

The “New York National Socialists” is one of the two anti-Semitic German organizations in New York. It counts only 50 members. The other is the “Hakenkreuzler,” which has 100 members, but which is split into three different groups. The “National Socialists” are frequently referred to as “Fascists,” not because they are followers of any constructive ideas expounded by Mussolini, but because they are bitterly opposed to the Socialists, whom they regard as being under Jewish influence.

The members of these two organizations are mostly composed of former officials of the Imperial Army and government officials, who after the establishment of the German Republic in 1918 left the country in order to follow their monarchistic inclinations without interference from public opinion or government.

The activities of the National-Socialists and Hakenkreuzler consist of regular meetings, which are characterized by unrestrained panegyrics of olden times and the Germany of Kaiser Wilhelm. Beer and other stimulants are said to play an important part in these round table conferences, just as hymns and anthems are apt to emphasize the importance of the occasion. Neither group carries on any extensive campaign or publicity work.

The “New York National Socialists” sent a representative to the large Hakenkreuzler convention which gathered last August in Nuremberg. It also sent the following letter of greeting as printed in the Nuremberg paper:

“The New York National Socialists who have had to leave the dear Fatherland because of lack of opportunity for honest working people, have nevertheless dared to show in the Jews’ metropolis of the world the banner of Adolph H. Hitler to the bourgeoisie and otherwise indifferent people who are more callous than in our old home. In our public meetings we have been able to win over many important people for our cause. We have formed a circle where we no longer feel alone, but where we can carry forward the militant spirit to which we are accustomed from home. There is work enough for us to do and every immigrant with nationalistic feeling is heartily welcome to cooperate with us. A distance of four thousand miles, and the expenses in connection with it, prevents us from taking part in the convention and showing ourselves to the leader in our full strength. But the N. Y. co-workers who will march on the third of August along with the thousands of brown shirts from all parts of German-speaking countries under our banner look to you, brethren, in beautiful Nuremberg on this day and see in Adolph Hitler the leader of the coming third empire.”

This was signed by “Co-worker Heinrich Baer, Branch, New York City.”