Responsibility for release of the bulk of 35,000 to 50,000 Jews thrown into local jails and concentration camps during the past week in reprisal for the Ernst vom Rath murder was virtually thrust upon the shoulders of foreign nations in a statement made today by high police authorities to Raymond Geist, Consul in charge of the United States Consulate General here. The police officials told Mr. Geist that in cases where the emigration of arrested persons was assured their release would be ordered.
Meanwhile, the consuls of various nations, including the American and British, were understood to be doing all in their power to effect the release of prisoners who were on the verge of receiving visas. In some instances the efforts have proved successful. As far as the American officials are concerned, the efforts are limited by the rigid restrictions imposed by the United States immigration laws, under which the combined yearly quota for Germany and Austria is 27,370.
The question remains as to what will be the fate of thousands held in concentration camps who have no immediate emigration prospects since they lack either the affidavits required for American visas or the capital and landing money needed for admission to other countries.
Crowds of Jews last night besieged the Argentinean Consulate following a rumor that it was issuing 500 visas. Other crowds that thronged the Paraguayan Consulate had their hopes dashed when a notice was posted declaring the Consulate was closed to “non-Aryans.”
The Jewish housing problem, which had become acute in recent months, was thrown to the fore by a decision of the technical group in charge of the hotel and rooming house industry to close down all Jewish rooming houses by Jan. 1.
The Berlin Jewish Community offices have resumed operations but only for internal matters since contact with the public, even through the welfare department, was still banned. Some provincial branches of the Hilfsverein have been reopened, in some cases employes being released from prison and told to resume their work.
The Jewish Culture League was formally notified yesterday that it could resume performances and concerts, but since the league’s technical director and most of its personnel were still in concentration camps it could not take advantage of the permission even if the Jews of Germany wanted entertainment.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
