Evening star., 1938-12-04


history. Following the usual procedure.
he asked to be received by the Secretary
of State on the eve of his Temporary"
return to Berlin. Mr.. Hull granted his
request and received him standing.
Dieckhof informed the Secretary that
he was leaving on Friday and Mr.. Hull
answered tersely: "Good-by, Mr.. Am
bassador."
A few days earlier discreet inquiries
were made by the German Embassy as
to whether President Roosevelt would
see the German Ambassador before his
departure. Dieckhoff's orders to return
to Germany to report on the strange
attitude of the American Government"
made it necessary that he inquire wheth-
er the Chief Executive would see him and
assist him in throwing additional light on
his explanations to Der Fuehrer. The
answer by devious channels from the
White House, was that the President was
too busy to see the German diplomat
The treatment of Hitler's envoy con-
trasted sharply with that accorded the
Italian Ambassador, Fulvio Switch. It
is true that Mussolini's representative,
replaced by another Ambassador, left
our shores officially for good. But the
President had final cordial conversa-
ton with him, as did high officials of
the State Department from Secretary
Hull down to divisional heads All off,
cials pointedly showed a heretofore un-
accustomed cordiality to the departing
Italian envoy.
Rupture Near With Reich.
In high official quarters no one en-
deavors to conceal the fact that we are
near complete rupture of diplomatic
relations with the Reich. Not only will
Ambassador Wilson remain indefinitely
in this country, not only will Herr DECK
hoff find other employment, but there is
a strong likelihood that both Embassies
will be completely vacated Of their per-
sonnet Behind this diplomatic war lies
more than the inhuman persecution of
Jews in Germany. The real trouble is
the increasingly offensive activities of
the German government in South Amer
lea. aimed directly at the United States.
And the Washington administration has
proof that the German Embassy in
Washington is the clearing house, the
nerve center OF that propaganda.
Heretofore. German activities in Brazil,
Chile, Peru and other Latin American
republics were directed by Hitlers un-
derlings. In the last few weeks, Der
Fuehrer has taken a personal interest
IN the matter. The political activities
OF the Nazi agents have increased alarm
1ngly. Not day passes but Washington
receives new reports of impending diff
culties in the Southern continent. De-
spite the friendly pro-American attitude
OF the Vargas government-some say
because Of it-serious trouble is expected
in Southern Brazil in the course of the
next few weeks.
Outbreak Being Fomented.
German agents are supporting and
fomenting a revolutionary outbreak in
two important Brazilian states-Rio
Grande do Sui, the home state of Brazil's
Foreign Secretary Aranha, and in Santa
Catharina. Both states are located a
considerable distance from Rio and are
ideal for revolutionary purposes because
the army, concentrated mainly around
the capital, would have long journey
to reach the critical area and suppress
the revolution
In the vicinity of Porto Alegre-the
capital of Rio Grande-there has been
considerable activity. For the last six
or seven weeks ships have been unloading
cargo which Washington believes con-
tain material other than sewing ma
chimes and gramophone records. Be-
cause the Washington administration,
under the pressure of an unwarranted
emotionalism by Congress when it
learned that Vargas had proclaimed
himself dictator. refused to lease eight
destroyers to the Brazilian Navy, the
long coast of Brazil cannot be efficiently
patroled by her ships. The necessary
paraphernalia for an insurrectionist
movement can reach number of small
ports on the coast off that republic but
the Vargas government is not capable
OF coping with the situation. It relies on
the loyalty of the army and on the
meager air force to scotch trouble when
and If 1t occurs, and hopes that this
country will not remain Indifferent when
1t can be proved that the Monroe Doc
trine has been challenged by the die
tators.
Menacing Developments Expected.
Similar news, of less alarming and
imminent character, is being received in
Washington from other sections of Latin
America. The administration is now
convinced that only fearless and de-
termined attitude can avert grave dam
ger. Some believe that since Hitler has
taken personal command of the situa-
ton 1t will be difficult to avert menacing
developments. And nobody In Washing
ton is willing to sign another Munich
pact"
In contrast with the attitude of the
German government, it is pointed out,
there has been a considerable diminu-
tion In the italian activities in the
Southern Hemisphere. The Fascist gov
eminent. though active in obtaining a
strong foothold In South America, is
conflning itself to commercial competi-
ton without employing the strong meth
ods Of the Germans. They endeavor to
obtain the good will Of the various Latin
American governments and importers
without blacklisting or threatening or
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