NAZI METHODS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21232, 1 October 1940, Page 2

NAZI METHODS

INVASION OF TOURISTS PROPAGANDA IN THE AMERICAS Every propaganda trick is being played in Mexico to stir up antagonism among the Mexican people against the Governments of America and Great Britain and her Allies, writes the Mexico City correspondent of the London Times. This propaganda springs from two sources, the Nazis and the Communists. Their attack is identical and designed toward the same end—to implant the totalitarian ideal. The ultimate objective of the Germans is to open wide the doors of Latin America to German economic and social penetration through the destruction of British and American influence. The Nazis work through a complex and highly organised propaganda and espionage organisation which, it is expected, will eventually be dedicated to sabotage should America be drawn into war. This service was started three years ago under Dr. Arthur Dietrich, Press attache at the German Legation and head of the local Gestapo. Dr. Dietrich is the brother of Dr. Otto Dietrich, one of the chiefs of the German Ministry of Propaganda. He is aided by a large staff, including experienced German newspaper men and Mexican writers and translators. He maintains his own printing press at his headquarters, and from it flows a steady stream of pamphlets, posters, and war bulletins. Attacks on United States This month a daily newspaper, Diario Aleman, has begun to appear. Most of Dietrich’s work goes, however into the Mexican Press, where it is inserted as “ exclusive ” stories under foreign datelines. Another propaganda medium, the most powerful issued by the Germans, is the weekly magazine Timon, published under Jose Vasconcelos, a Mexican intellectual who writes with a vitriolic pen. Propaganda bulletins are distributed throughout the Republic by German salesmen representing the many big German hardware and chemical firms operating here. Posters stuck on the walls of public buildings applaud Mexican neutrality, threaten North American intervention. and demand the expulsion of the British Consul-General. They also demand a boycott of British commerce.

7he bugaboo of American intervention in Mexico is constantly aroused. All former instances of American difficulties here are reviewed to show the evil intentions of Uncle Sam. An anti-Masonic campaign is maintained to arouse Catholic ire. The British Government is attacked as Jewish, the American Government and statesmen are “Jewish demagogues in alliance with international bankers and Jewish exploiters.’* The good-neighbour policy is a tool of Wall Street. British colonial policy is the subject of unrelenting attack. The French have been dupes of the British “ imperialists.” It is the same technique as has been seen at work throughout Central Europe and the Balkans, with the exception that here the emphasis is placed upon the American Government, which has predominant foreign influence here.

The same plan was followed during the last war, when German agents fomented trouble in Mexico to prevent the American Government from sending supplies to the Allies. At that time the German Ambassador at Washington, Count von Bernstorff, offered Mexico the return of the American States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California if Mexico would enter the war against the Allies. The interception of the “ Zimmerman Note” led to the breaking off of American relations with Germany and to the eventual entry of America into the war. It is not known what prize Germany is offering Mexico today, but that she is pursuing the same policy of causing trouble here in order to divert America from the European war is apparent. The ** Tourist ” Invasion Immediately on the anhouncement of the big American armament campaign German propaganda in Mexico increased. The influx of German “ tourists ” and “ salesmen ” increased. The most important of these men is Dr. Joaquin Herstlet, who first appeared last summer as a high official of the German Economics Ministry. He travels on a diplomatic passport and makes frequent trips to America. Recently he has been sojourning in the Pacific port of Manzanillo, from which cargoes of copper and lead have been shipped to Vladivostock in Russian ships.

As the Presidential campaign shows, the country is in a perturbed state, economically and politically. The Government is aware of the danger from alien propaganda and is trying quietly to eliminate it. European immigration has been banned for all except applicants with families already here; no more Spanish refugees are being admitted; and the registration of all aliens has been or-

dered. One centre for the manufacture of contraband arms has been found and closed. The average Mexican is more interested in the elections than in all this alien activity. The interplay of complex alien elements during a time not only of national but of world crisis places the Government in a difficult situation. Its chief task is to keep the public peace.