Demands for sweeping investigation of Nazi activities in the province of Alsace-Lorraine are in the hands of the French Government after a series of protests by municipal bodies and political organizations. The protests follow an intensification of the Nazi drive to stir up disaffection in the province rejoined with France after the World War and to create sentiment among the population in favor of affiliation with the Third Reich.
Much of the propaganda is directed against the Jews and points out that “at least Hitler got rid of the undesirables who compete with German merchants and workers.” Leaflets, tracts and circulars from Germany are flooding inhabitants of the border districts. Most of it is mailed as first-class matter so as not to come under scrutiny of the postal authorities.
The moderate newspaper, L’Ordre, reports that this propaganda campaign is apparently making great headway in Alsace. It points out that the Nazis are conducting their drive cleverly and subtly. The extent and type of activities conducted in the border districts, it is reported, indicate that the Nazi agents have large funds at their disposal.
The General Council of the Department of Moselle recently adopted a resolution demanding that the Government take drastic measures to check the activities of Nazi agents in the border districts. Regional conventions of the French Socialists, held at Mulhouse and Strasbourg, also adopted resolutions demanding that the Government investigate local groups which serve as a cloak for German propaganda and prohibit the import and distribution of Nazi propaganda tracts.
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