Trustworthy information received here today said that epidemics of typhoid and other diseases were spreading in Warsaw, particularly among the Jews, as a result of congestion, malnutrition and lack of fuel.
Enforcement of the ghetto order, under which some 500,000 Jews were to be concentrated in two narrow quarters of the former Polish capital, has been suspended, reportedly because of the epidemics. On the other hand, it is rumored that execution of the order had been held up pending negotiations over a “collective fine” which the Warsaw Jews are unable to pay.
Fuel is absolutely unavailable for Jews in Warsaw. Coal is distributed among non-Jews only, while Jews are forced to break up whatever furniture they have left for firewood.
Jews have been excluded from the city’s hospitals. The Jewish hospital “Czyste” has been transferred to the military, hence only the most inadequate private medical aid is left for the Jews.
Because of the outbreak of epidemics, all schools have been closed.
The Jewish position is growing more difficult, since the German troops have been gradually replaced by Nazi storm troopers, Gestapo agents and Hitler youths.
All libraries have been ordered to submit lists of anti-Nazi books in any language.
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.
