Yugo.
May 19, 1942
Chicago, Ill.
RE: Rev. Spiro Andrianich,
Croat. Cath. Church of
"Sacred Heart"
So. Chicago
The above subject has sent out invitations to nearly all Croatian organizations of Greater Chicago, to have their representatives get in touch with him. The purpose is to form a "American Croatian Alliance of South Chicago", commitee [sic]. This commitee would then set a plan of action for further work. As a start, the commitee would arrange a picnic to be held for the benefit of the American Red Cross.
Vincent Knaus, is temporary chairman and P.J. Starchevich an organizer. Both of these men, same as Rev. Andrianich, are dye-in-the-wool adherents of Dr. Pavelich, Fuehrer of "Free Croatia". This all was apparently planned and put into operation by the connivance of several other pro Pavelich Croatian friars. Since the start of this war, most of these Croatian Cath. friars have applied the medium of their faith among the Amer. Croats, to prevent them from forming any anti Axis, or pro Allied organization and had always supported the "Croatian Homedefenders" up to their disbandement and final dispersal.
As reported previously, about two months ago, about 54 Croatian Organizations, formed an anti Pavelich-Axis group and an active American, pro-Allied organization, under the name and title of, Amer. Croatian Natl. Alliance of America. The Pavelich band of agents were thrown into a real panic in realization that they were losing their politico-spiritual grip on these Croats. Working fast, they connived upon the idea to form an organization similar in name to that of the Amer. Croatian Natl. Alliance and thereby confuse the laymen on one hand and nuetralize [sic] this patriotic organization, on the other. By throwing the bait "for the American Red Cross", these conspirators figured laconically, that the Croatian societies would not dare to refuse an invitation to help the American Red Cross. This is what really happened. Even one Croat red organization answered this invitation and the secretary later sheepishly remarked, that his crowd was afraid of being smeared unpatriotic by "these Hitlerites" if they did not answer the call for the Red Cross. On the other hand, if all these Croat organizations do form a commitee to put this picnic over "for the Red Cross", they will at the same time unwillingly build another 5th column channell [sic] for the enterprising Rev. Andrianich and his Pavelich friars.
Mr. Bazdarich, pres. of the Amer. Croat. Natl. Alliance was immediately advised of Rev. Andrianich's move. Bazdarich was very much surprised and hastened with his attorney to speed the granting of charter for his organization, before Rev. Andrianich beat him to it with his charter. Bazdarich and his organization also took quick action to forestall the design and intent of this, Pavelich band's move among the Amer. Croats.
This way, Andrianich would also cover his crowd with a patriotic cloak and continue his subversive work among the Croats by staging patriotic benefit functions. Knaus and Dr. Starchevich are active local republican party workers and advertise Rev. Andrianich as a good catholic priest. City alderman Rowan, De. of the 10th Ward, also caters to Rev. Andrianich, under impression that this priest can sway a number of his Croats in elections. On the other hand, this priest allows it to be known that "he has good political connections" for his followers and himself and therefor his prestige ascends with the general run of the laymen. Of course Alder. Rowan, or any other Amer. politician, is unaware that they are being adroitly used by Andrianich for their allien [sic] 5th column act when they cater to him for votes. These local politicians are even ignorant of the fact, that up to Dec. 7th 1941, Andrianich and his cohorts had put themselves on record by speech and action as, pro-Axis, anti-democratic, anti-Administration and anti-war.
It is important to note, that this preist [sic] and these 2 men, Knaus and Starchevich, are intellectually so far above the average level of their followers, that they are well capable of leading or misleading them in any chosen path without being caught red handed, and thereby impress them of their power of immunity from deserved prosecution.
Their intention also is to curb the growing popularity and influence of Ban Subasich that is being fostered by the Amer. Croat. Natl. Alliance and other Croatian organizations who are trying to shake the grip of these cassocked Pavelich's agents [sic].
SK:Y