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Police and Military Quell Rioting of Iron Guardists Against Roumanian Jews

December 1, 1933
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Sporadic disorders were reported today following a tumultuous series of outbursts by the anti-Semitic Iron Guardists yesterday in various localities throughout the nation. Combined military and police forces had the situation in hand after a hundred and fifty Guardists, including their leader, Zelea Codreanu, had been arrested.

The city of Jassy was the scene of serious disorder throughout the day. Students and other sympathizers, many of whom are allied with the Iron Guard Organization, gave vent to their feelings by raiding 200 Jewish homes, demolishing them and forcibly removing furniture which was hurled into the streets.

Many were injured. No deaths were reported in that city, however.

The dwelling occupied by the Under Secretary of the Interior in Jassy was almost completely demolished. A motor car owned by an attorney named Pogona was destroyed. Pogona was injured.

A Jewish self-defense organization was created to repel further attacks. But firm military reenforcements temporarily restored a semblance of order.

It was reported that a Jewish girls’ school in Sereteanu was attacked by a gang of hooligans who sent a barrage of stones and missiles through the windows and doors. A panic resulted. Many young girls became ill with fright.

Outside the city limits of Bucharest an attempt by students to stage a demonstration was crushed by police who succeeded in dispersing them after making twenty arrests.

In Constanza, one Iron Guardist was killed and two were wounded when police fought students who participated in an anti-Jewish demonstration.

From towns scattered all over Roumania came reports of violence yesterday resulting generally in destruction and vandalism.

Both the Roumanian government which earlier in the day issued a communique condemning the wave of anti-Semitism which has swept the country, and the League of Nations will be petitioned to take immediate action to guarantee the safety of Jewish citizens.

The Jewish community in Jassy has been preparing photographs of the scenes of rioting. These will be submitted together with other evidence of the violent anti-Semitic outbreak.

A threat publicized by Octavian Goga, another anti-Semitic leader, indicating that violence would increase in intensity if the government persisted in quelling the rioters, aggravated the trouble in Jassy.

The government communique cautioned political parties against engaging in the melees. It promised to withdraw the right of casting ballot from agitating political units.

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