SECRET ARMIES
74
was paid in cash by Hitler s diplomatic representative. Prior
room, Emerson had desk space with the
German Consulate General for six weeks.
The May 15, 1933, issue of the Amerika Deutsche Post, a Nazi
propaganda organ published in New York, carried an advertise
it
to the renting of this
ment stating that the editor of this paper made his headquarters
in Emerson s room. This was the first indication that Emerson
had arrived in this country to handle Nazi propaganda.
For many years Emerson had wandered about the globe cover
ing assignments for newspapers and magazines and always brag
ging about his Americanism and his "patriotism." One of his
great boasts was that he was with Roosevelt s Rough Riders dur
ing the Spanish-American war; what he never told was that
him back from Cuba in irons.
room paid for by the German Consul General, Emer
Roosevelt brought
From
his
son launched the "Friends of Germany." * This organization was
the chief disseminator of pro-Hitler and anti-democratic propa
ganda in the United States, but the Colonel directed the propa
ganda somewhat stupidly. The "Friends of Germany" held
meetings with "storm troops" in full uniform; bitter attacks
were made against Jews and Catholics at large mass meetings.
Visiting officers and sailors, from German ships docked in New
York, appeared at these meetings to preach fascism and Nazism,
wave of resentment swept the country. One of the key
notes of these talks was sounded by Edward F. Sullivan of Boston
until a
meeting held at Turnhalle, Lexington Avenue and 85th
Street, on June 5th, 1934, when he repeatedly referred to Jews
as "dirty, stinking kikes" and announced that he proposed to
organize a strong Nazi group in Boston.
Propaganda Minister Goebbels in Berlin became annoyed at
the public reaction, and the entire Nazi foreign propaganda
service was reorganized. Emerson was ordered back to Germany
at a
*
Subsequently changed to "Friends of the
current "German-American Bund."
New
Germany"
and then
to the