600 Expelled in Reich Drive on Soviet Citizens; 400 Are Jews

The Reich Government is systematically moving to expel all Soviet citizens, it was revealed here today. Six hundred have been expelled since February, of whom 400 are Jews. The total number of Soviet citizens in the Reich is 1,200, of whom two-thirds are Jews. Soviet Jews who have received letters of expulsion have been warned that protest will be unavailing, since the action against them is collective.

In some cases the authorities have granted return visas to those ordered expelled, in order to facilitate obtaining of visas from other countries, but they have forced the recipients to sign a secret agreement that these will not be utilized under penalty of internment in a concentration camp.

Many families have been broken up by the expulsion orders. In one case, a Soviet Jew married to a non-Jewess was permitted to remain while the wife and one of their sons were exiled. An 80-year-old Jewess was served with her notice at an almshouse where she lived. Some wealthy exporters, whose businesses have brought in great sums of foreign currency, have nevertheless been expelled. On the other hand, scores of persons living on public relief have so far escaped expulsion.

Last week, the police extended the sphere of activity to Soviet citizens regardless of race. Soviet “Aryans” who had received mimeographed letters ordering them to apply to the Soviet Consul for permits to return to Russia were informed that they could not be obtained until August when they will be served with expulsion orders.

Unlike the letters received by Jews, the “Aryans” are not threatened with punishment if they fail to comply. Some quarters believe the letters to Soviet “Aryans” serve to enable the police to discover who can obtain permission to enter Russia, such persons being automatically persona non grata in Germany. In fact, most Soviet citizens here, whether Jews or non-Jews, White Russians or oppositionists, do not desire to return to their fatherland.