832.00 Nazi/32
The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28.]
Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 89, April 18, 10 p.m.,22 concerning the abolition of foreign political organizations in this country, I have the honor to enclose copy and translation of Decree-Law No. 383 of April 18, 1938,23 on this subject. The law in question makes illegal any political activity on the part of any foreign political organization and existing organizations falling within the scope of the law are given thirty days in which to liquidate their affairs and completely dissolve. The law, however, does not abolish foreign cultural, educational, benefit and aid societies, although institutions of this category will now be permanently supervised by the Ministry of Justice. Foreign language newspapers will also be supervised by the Ministry of Justice.
The German Ambassador called upon the Minister of Justice on the day on which the Decree Law 383 was published, for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent German activities could be carried on in view of the prohibitions contained in the new law. I have been informed that the Minister of Justice advised the German Ambassador that the law was clear and that Article 3 provided for the continuance of certain foreign activities of a non-political character.
The first public opportunity for a demonstration of the effects of the new law occurred in São Paulo on April 21, on the occasion of the official visit to that city of Vicente Lojacono, the Italian Ambassador. At a gala performance which the “Dopolavoro” of São Paulo held at the Municipal Theater in honor of the Ambassador, everybody, including [Page 413] the Italian diplomatic and consular officials, appeared in civilian dress, no black shirts or Fascist emblems being worn. Heretofore the Ambassador and Italian authorities have always appeared in black shirts on similar occasions. At the “Dopolavoro” performance in São Paulo, the Italian Ambassador commented upon Brazil’s friendly attitude toward Italy in remaining absolutely neutral in the Abyssinian conflict, and further stated, “South America is Latin, and will continue to be Latin, even though a certain nation does not desire it to be”. The Ambassador also stated that “proletariat Italy will always march against Plutocracy”.
It is believed that the new law will be the death knell of Nazi and Fascist political activities in this country, and the local press without exception has given strong approval to the President for his action in this matter.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy