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Probe Ordered into Anti-jewish Riots at Praha German University

January 7, 1937
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Education Minister Franke, demanding disciplinary action for disturbers of order, has instructed the academic senate of the Praha German University to investigate recent anti-Semitic disorders aimed at Prof. Hans Kelsen, noted Jewish scholar.

Dr. Franke ordered the senate particularly to take statements from the noted authority on international law and from a number of students known to the police as having participated in anti-Jewish demonstrations or having been in contact with demonstrators.

He ordered reconsideration of the case of three disciplined students, asserting that the action taken against them was not sufficiently severe since the demonstrations gave expression to feelings not in accord with the principles of the Czechoslovakian Republic.

The disorders broke out last Oct. 22 when Prof. Kelsen, holder of a chair at Cologne University until the advent of the Nazis, opened a series of lectures. German students invaded the law building in protest against the appointment of a Jewish professor.

Jewish students were ejected from the building in the demonstration. Nationalists boycotted Dr. Kelsen’s lectures by occupying all seats and walking out when the lectures began. As a result, the building was closed for two weeks.

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