832.00 Nazi/13: Telegram
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:35 p.m.]
40. Minister of Foreign Affairs16 informs me that Ernst Dorsch, the principal Nazi political agent in Rio Grande do Sul, was arrested [Page 409] yesterday. The Minister adds that the General Staff of the Army has determined upon rigorous measures to suppress completely all Nazi and Fascisti activity in Brazil. He adds that the German Ambassador17 made to him yesterday strenuous protests against the arrest of Dorsch. The Ambassador said emphatically the Minister must realize that he is first and foremost the representative of Hitler and the Nazi Party and after that of Germany. He added that Brazil is the only country to his knowledge where such a campaign against the Nazis is being carried on and that he considers it a direct slap at Hitler; if it continues, Brazilian-German relations will be seriously impaired and the Ambassador himself may even be withdrawn. The Ambassador added that to him this question transcends all other problems between the two countries.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs informed me that while it is possible that Dorsch may be released from custody the campaign against the Nazis and Fascists will be continued relentlessly.