Corporal E. T. Grey of the United States Marine Intelligence Corps startled listeners at the open hearings this morning of the Congressional committee investigating Nazi activities in this country, with an account of how the Silver Shirts procured arms from the San Diego naval base.
Corporal Grey also told of violence attempted against members of the Marine Intelligence Division. He related stories of Silver Shirt military maneuvers near Elcajon.
Others testifying today included Herman Freese of San Diego and Herman Schwimon, a member of the Friends of New Germany.
Virgil Hayes, a former marine, testified that W. W. Kemp, San Diego Silver Shirt leader, paid $10 apiece for rifles and $20 for a case of ammunition, and cached thousands of rounds.
The witness declared that the Silver Shirts aimed to deport all Jews, including natives.
Consul Georg Gyssling refused to appear before the committee to testify about a check made out to E. W. Riemer, assertedly his secretary. Investigators believe check endorsed by John Riemer, head of the Hitlerite American Labor party.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
