ARGENTINE NAZIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 141, 17 June 1939, Page 19

ARGENTINE NAZIS.

REVELATION OF STRENGTH.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

BUENOS AIRES. The Argentine Government's investigation into Nazi activities in Argentina following publication of a document concerning: possible annexation of Patagonia, has given many the impression that Nazi "penetration" implied insidious propaganda designed to convert the Argentine citizen to the totalitarian creed.

The aim of the propaganda in question in reality has been to round up the thousands of Argentines of German descent whose enthusiasm for Hitler was considered to require encouragement, says a writer in the American Press. The totalitarian creed makes no appeal to Argentines of non-German blood. Even a propaganda ministry as obtuse as Dr. Goebbels' Nazi department has frequently proved itself to be would hardly waste much time and money in efforts to convert them.

On the other hand, there has been a fertile field for propaganda among German residents' sons and grandsons, who. if left to their own devices, might reasonably be expected to acquire misgivings on the subject of Nazi virtues, especially in a country enjoying a free Press.

Up to the time of the German •plebiscite'' held there on the annexation of Austria, most independent observers doubted if Dr. Goebbels' henchmen had met with any great success in their undertaking. The response of the young German-Argentines was so whole-hearted, however, that the doubters were compelled to admit they had made a wrong diagnosis. The Making of a Minority. The plebiscite gave onlookers the impression that here was the making of a minority which, at a word from Berlin, might become a so-called oppressed minority.

This revelation of Nazi strength was all the more noteworthy because of its contrast with the failure of Italian Fascism to arouse a responsive chord in the breasts of Italian-Argentine youth. The Italians had become assimilated in a manner the Germans had not. Not only was it found that Italian-Argen-tines could not be inspired with the Fascist urge; they were in thc main violently anti-Fascist.

The realisation that German propaganda in Argentina may lead to the formulation of an aggressive bloc has caused the Government to take strong precautionary measures. There is no fear that preaching of its totalitarian doctrine would convert thc Argentine citizen of non-German blood.