The Argentine Clock

The Jewish population of the Argentine is, like the Jewish element in every country, a reliable instrument for gauging the state of mind of the population as a whole. Just at present that state is one of uneasiness aroused by a series of events.

The first was the Eucharistic Congress, held every two years as a demonstration of Catholic strength, which took place in Buenos Aires last month. Preparations for the Congress preceeded it by several months. One incident which aroused considerable comment was the fact that the organization committee invited all the school pupils to participate in Eucharist ceremonies. Distinction between Jewish and Catholic children, thus brought to the fore, was before that, non-existent here.

Among the other factors contributory to the general uneasiness were a series of anti-Jewish attacks, some of them editorial, in newspapers in many parts of the country, the demonstrations staged inside and outside film theatres where the “House of Rothschild” was being shown, and several attempted bombings and other vandalisms committed upon synagogues and other buildings.

Among the latter were the throwing of acid upon the facades of the temple on Libertad street, the synagogue on Papo street and the home of the Gazeta Israelita, a Yiddish newspaper.

The beautifully ornamented temple on Libertad street has been defaced three times. Last year, when the first attack was made, the general press protested sharply against the desecration. But this year, when the same edifice was the object of two attacks during the High Holidays, mere brief uncommented reports appeared in the newspapers.

INDICATE STRESS IN RECENT MONTHS

These minor demonstrations, generally attributed to Nazis, are indicative of the disturbed atmosphere attendant upon the struggle for power which has been going on here since September 6, 1930, when the “radical” middle class party lost to the conservatives. The ruling party is attempting to entrench itself firmly through the creation of a Fascist organization. But the Fascist legions, declared legal under the dictatorship of General Uriburi and permitted the use of arms, are really, an exotic plant on Argentine soil.

Despite the fact that there is no room here for Fascism of the Italian, German or even Polish type, Fascism is used by the party in control to combat radicalism and other democratic forces, primarily through the creation of an artificial nationalist atmosphere in this melting-pot country.

The bill recently passed in the Senate for “press protection” is an excellent example of the reactionary parliamentary manifestations of this party. The bill has aroused much criticism and it is hoped the Chamber of Deputies will defeat or at least modify it.

JUDICIARY FOLLOWS GENERAL TREND

A further example of the manner in which the clock is being turned back here is the way in which Parliament defended the police on the occasion when they were being accused of torturing arrested persons. Such action is definitely unconstitutional here. That the judiciary is following along the same lines may be seen from the fact that the chief tribunal recently annulled the citizenship of a Spaniard on the ground that he was a Communist. In that particular case the court ruled that since Communism strives to overthrow the existing government the oath taken by the candidate for naturalization to uphold the government is invalid.

The case is an exceptional one. In general, the foreigner here feels no restriction of his civil rights. But the verdict of the highest tribunal has now placed the foreigner, even though he be naturalized, in a position which is worse than that of native Argentine.

In this atmosphere of reaction and police despotism, nationalistic demagogy, anti-Semitism, Fascism, and Fascism linked with clericalism, flourish —especially when they are accompanied by all the most modern devices for the spread of propaganda.

Naturally, the Jews here have the proper regard and objectivity of attitude with respect to the religious aims of Catholicism. Buenos Aires rabbis even sent greetings to the Eucharistic Congress held in their city. A delegation composed of representatives of various Jewish organizations also called upon Cardinal Verdier, Archbishop of Paris, to thank him for the help he has given the relief activities on behalf of German refugees. Cardinal Verdier thanked the delegation for its message, adding that he had merely done his duty, since “we all belong to the same family. “

INCITEMENT BY SOME PRIESTS

Nevertheless, there were some priests who took occasion this year to deliver anti-Semitic speeches, most of them over the radio. The impression created is that although Catholicism is officially not anti-Semitic, it gladly accepts the help of Fascism, which it discreetly protects. Strengthening political and cultural reaction in the country, this attitude definitely helps prepare the ground for anti-Semitism.

The strongest negative factor is the German Nazist movement here. This movement and its agents are the “spiritual strength” of all the anti-Semitic newspapers and organizations supported by the “educated” element. It is a power moving definitely towards its goal—to turn the clock back in the Argentine.