Evening star., 1938-12-19
Seger, Nazi Foe, Asks
u. 5. Keep Check on
Diplomats
AssoiIs Propaganda in
Talk; Dies Charges
Hatred Compoien

tne DICTATOR nations diplomats as q
means of curbing Nazi propaganda
in the United States was urged by
Gerhart Seger, former member Of
the German Reichstag, in a Town
Hall discussion last night at the
Shoreham Hotel with Representa-
tive Martin Dies. chairman of the
House Committee on Un-American
Activities.
Mr.. Dies declared he had evidence
that the same campaign OF hatred
which paved the way for the as
cendancy of Hitler is vigorously
under way in the United States"
If we do not want a Hitler in
America then we must prevent the
occurrences which pave the way
for Hitler" he said.
MIR. Dies then urged prevention Of
class, racial and religious hatreds
and checking of "the clamor for
bureaucracy and paternalism in
government" He appealed for in
sistence upon "the American scheme
that the government which has the
minimum of necessary power and
which leaves to the individual the
fullest freedom. consistent with the
public good, is the only kind of gov
ernment under which men can con-
tinue to be free
Within Line of Duty.
In his address Mr.. Seger declared
that while diplomats of democratic
powers carefully refrain from inter-
fering with the internal affairs of
the countries to which they are
assigned, it is within the line of
duty Of the diplomatic and consular
officers of dictatorial states to act
as propagandists and agents of their
dictatorship, even to the extent of
supporting alien subversive activi-
ties OF their compatriots in the for
eign country"
He also urged cancellation of the
exchange OF Nazi professors and
students with democratic countries,
the dissolution of "Nazi camps" and
the suppression of all semi military
organizations such as the German
American branch OF Hitlers private
army, the so-called 'Ordnungsdrenst,
whose members are intimidatine
American businessmen" Mr.. Seser
suggested investigation Of "the
racket of the German American
Business League" which he said
levies a tax on German American
businessmen and whose profits are
used to finance Nazi propaganda in
the United States.
Mr.. Seger also suggested passage
OF bill to establish clearing of all
inheritance cases occurring between
Nazi Germany and the United
States"
Deprived Of Property.
while the Germans and Amer
leans have no difficulty at all in the
United States receiving what Is due
to them he said, American and
German American heirs to estates
In Germany are deprived of their
property because OF the German
financial DEGREES Millions of dollars
are sent from the United States to
Germany. where the money in for
eign currency is Immediately expro-
priated. irrespective of the nation
ality Of the heir involved.
Predicting that war is "onlv a
matter Of time" Mr.. Dies declared
that Hitler and the expression of
his hate, Nazi-ism" is doomed to
failure.
This is small conso)s.:or," he
said, when We consider the terrible
price that Europe must pay for his
overthrow. 1t means that millions
OF brave men must be sacrificed and
that civilization will be brought to
the very brink of destruction.
My chief concern is that Amer
lea will not be involved in this war"
Mr.. Dies declared Il see no reason
for such a tragedy if we do not
succumb to foreign propaganda"
Mr.. Dies said he did not believe
Hitler would ever attempt anv in
vasion OF the United States or South
America.
Il do have real fear that the
virus OF Nazi hate will spread to
our shores" he continued, "and
that Nazi philosophy. which exalts
the state above the individual and
seeks to regiment the people under
planned economy, may be able to
accomplish in this country what the
armies Of Hitler can never accom-
plish, namely, the Transformation of
America from a land of tolerance.
understanding and good will into a
land OF intolerance and hatred. I
tear the penetration of Nazi theology
and Nazi conception of government
more than I do Nazi armies and
planes"
Following his address, Mr.. Dies
conducted a question and answer"
session with John c. Metcalfe, in
vestigator for Mr.. Dies committee,
who had before him on q table
packages of alleged Nazi propa-
ganda, photographs of activities al
legged Fascist organizations in the
United States and documents pur-
porting to show various un-Ameri-
can activities in the United States.
Responding to Mr.. Dies questions.
Mr.. Metcalfe declared he had COW
cred $4,000 miles travelling from
coast to coast throughout the
United States and Canada during
his investigation. He has said that
there are some 1876 different or
ganizations participating in un-
American activities and disseminate
ing anti-racial and anti-reigious
propaganda. He declared that there
are about 80 posts of the German
American Bund in the United
States, with membership of
around $4,000 persons.
GreenbeIt to Conduct
Aenrinn m Rudnaf