Messersmith, G.S., Buenos Aires. Memorandum on article by Spruille Braden in April 1946 issue of Atlantic Monthly.
Date
1946-12-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Article entitled "The Germans in Argentina" inaccurate and misleading; quotes statement, "President Ortiz...outlawed German National Socialist Party in Argentina by presidential decree in 1939; streets no longer echoed with boots of marching stormtroopers; the cry of 'Heil Hitler' was stilled; the swastika banners came down; there was silence - an ominous silence; the Nazi Party had gone underground"; first sentence of statement correct; President did outlaw Nazi Party, but as measure to prevent organization of Party in Argentina; rest of statement completely inaccurate; according to best evidence, there were no stormtroopers in Argentina, no swastika banners were ever seen, and "Heil Hitler" was never heard; some of the German societies were no doubt pro-Nazi, but there was no active National Socialist Party operating in Argentina; that an Assistant Secretary of State could write or be responsible for such a misleading article is something unique in history of State Department.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.