Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-02-22

Barring our own jubilant vets, no
body Is happier over the threatened
demise Of the eighteenth amendment
than the members Of the foreign dip
lomatic corps in Washington. Thelr
special gallery In the House OF Repre-
sentatives was thronged on February ~
for the final congressional obsequies
over the noble experiment. Joining
with hundreds of Americans in the
public galleries, the diplomats also
broke the rules of the House by ap-
plauding vigorously when the repeal
resolution was passed. The JOY OF the
foreign official community in Washing
ton does not, of course, spring from the
prospect of legaliZed liquor in the
United States on their own account, Tor
thirst is an unknown quantity at the
embassies and legations. What stirs
the emotions Of the diplomatic group is
the eventual return of beer and wine
imports from the outside world. This
isn't to say that plenty OF English and
Scotch whiskey, French champagne
and German beer hasn't been altering
into this country by the bootleg route
since 1919. But the lands Of origin OF
all these various beverages have been
longing for the day when it would cease
to be Illicit to market them in the
United States.
In 1918, the last pre-war and pre-
prohibition year during which our
liquor imports were at more or less
normal peak, there was sent to the
United tSates from Europe, the chief
source Of foreign supply, total Of
7,677,184 gallons of spirits, wines and
malt liquors. for gross value of
81, 1858 The imports of European dis
titled spirits (brandy, cordials, liqueurs,
gin and all other spirits) aggregated
2,396958 gallons, representing a value
Of $6,142, 460. The imports of cham
payne and other sparkling wines 20
years ago were 280, TOO gallons, costing
81 ,633,333. Still wines in casks and
extent of 4,536,45 gallons. valued at
s5,0l4,062. Thus, altogether, American
liquor imports from Europe in 1918
! amounted to 1891 ,298 gallons. with an
import valuation of Sl7,185, 739. In the
gross figures Of exports to the United
States these are not very important
items. But to the wine-growing in
dustries Of countries like France, Ger
many and Italy, to the beer-making
industries of Germany and Czecho-
slovakia and to the distillery trade of
Great Britain the reopening Of the
Yankee market for liquor will be looked
upon especially In depression times, as
boon of the first magnitude.
Not many people in this country are
aware that Chancellor Adolf Hitlers
right -hand-man in Germany is a chap
named Hanfstengel, who had an Ameri-
can mother and was educated at Har-
ward quarter of a century ago. Hanf-
stengelS activities in the NaZi move
ment do not creep into the public prints,
| but he is described as Hitler's most
| trusted comrade On his maternal side,
! Hanfstengel is descended from one OF
Boston's "Brahman" families-the inner
circle Of the Cabots, the Lodges and
| other Beacon Hill dynaStieS. At Har-
ward, he was a 6-foot 4-inch member
| of the Crimson crew, d. K. E. Fra
ternity man and altogether one OF the
shining lights of the campus. Hanf-
| stengel halls from Munich, the cradle
! of Hitlerism. Among his other talents,
he is an accomplished pianist, and one
| of the services he frequently renders
| the NaI chief is to lull him into rest
with music, Of which the chancellor Is
passionately fond.
Herr Killers personal envoy to the
| United States, Canada and Mexico,
| Herr Kurt Luedecke, Is making his first
| public appearance in Washington at
| tonight's meeting Of the InquirendQs an
exclusive group Of young Government
officials and professional men. Perhaps
| he will record in detail the impression
of the United States which he recently
| broadcast to Germany-tslat many
Americans tell him what we need is "a
Hitler, too" 1t is said that Herr
Luedecke, whose acquaintance with this
country extends over ten years, will
shortly return to Germany for a conf
Dental report to his chief about politi-
cal and other conditions over here.
Anti Semitism y one Of the tenets In