Imperial Valley Press

Nazi Agent Faces U. S. Indictment

WASHINGTON, March 3 (UP)—A federal grand jury today indicted Friedrich Ernst Auhagen on charges of failure to register with the state department as an agent of the German government.

Auhagen, who had lectured extensively in this country, was taken into custody on the west coast as he was preparing to leave the United States. He was at one time director of "The American Fellowship Forum."

In its findings the grand jury said that since Sept. 6, 1938, Auhagen had engaged in disseminating in the United States information and propaganda concerning the German government, "its officers, its policies, and its accomplishments, as well as other information and propaganda designed to influence policies and attitudes of the people and government of the United States."

The grand jury said that Auhagen delivered lectures, arranged and conducted meetings, exhibited motion pictures taken in Germany, wrote articles for publication, and "sought to make contacts with persons capable of lending support to the program and policies of the German government."

Auhagen, for the purpose of influencing public opinion organized "The American Fellowship Forum," the grand jury asserted. The organization has its headquarters in New York City and branches in various other cities throughout the nation.