Despite official orders and allegations that pillaging was being carried on by Communists, sacking of Jewish shops continued unabated in Vienna. Police were refusing Jews all protection, explaining they were “otherwise occupied.”
Children are the latest recruits in the pillaging campaign. Boys and girls, ranging in age from seven to ten, don swastika armbands, raid Jewish shops shouting “Heil Hitler!” and sweep shelves and cases clean of toys and candy. The proprietors stand helplessly by, fearing outbreak of a pogrom if they molest a single child.
Since the Jews are completely deprived of protection of the law, they are being forced to pay blackmail on all sides. Those who in the past won lawsuits from “Aryans” are now being visited by their erstwhile court opponents, who demand repayment of damages awarded by the courts. Apartment house doorkeepers demand hush money of Jewish tenants on the threat to invite Nazi storm troopers to rob their apartments.
The Shoe and Leather Trades Union Friday expelled all Jewish members and ordered Jewish shoe and leather merchants to close down their shops. Pickets stationed at Vienna cafes forced Jews to leave and warned all “non-Aryans” not to enter.
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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.
