A new trade law which will completely ruin Jews engaged in commerce and industry in Austria was promulgated here today. It caused consternation in leading Jewish circles.
The new law comes as a climax to the discriminatory measures instituted by the Austrian government against the Jews. It follows the revocation of citizenship of Jews naturalized after the war and the ousting of Jewish professionals from state and municipal institutions.
SUSPEND TRADE FREEDOM
The new trade law promulgated today suspends the freedom in trade and industry. It belongs to the category of Austrian laws in which reference to Jews is carefully avoided in view of the existing international obligations which Austria carries with regard of the treatment of its national minorities. It is, however, directed against the Jews.
According to the law the new economic state corporations alone are authorized to issue the qualification certificates required of all those engaged in commercial enterprise. The Jews are, however, barred from these new economic bodies and will have very little chance to obtain such certificates.
AGGRAVATES DISTRESS
Die Neue Welt, newspaper of Dr. Robert Stricker, well-known Austrian Jewish leader, today editorially saw in the new law specific aggravation of the already existing distress of the Austrian Jews.
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