“cold Pogrom” Goes on

The Nazi “cold pogrom” swung into a second and more menacing stage today, with pickets stationed before Jewish shops and restaurants while uniformed members of the Storm Troops and Hitler’s Elite Guard patrolled the Kurfuerstendamm and neighboring areas, apparently in a hunt for Jews. In at least one instance a Jew who broke away from a crowd standing before a paint-smeared jewelry shop was engulfed by pursuers, passers-by hearing his cries of terror as the crowd closed in on him.

The pickets first appeared on the Wilmersdorferstrasse before closing time yesterday afternoon, blocking entrances to Jewish shops and permitting only Jews to pass. Last night they were posted before two of the most popular restaurants on the Kurfuerstendamm, both of which closed long before the usual hour.

Dressed in civilian clothes, the pickets on the Kurfuerstendamm stood at restaurant entrances with their backs to the street, staring at the Jewish diners on the terrace and occasionally wishing them an ironical “Good appetite.” The restaurants Mikosch and Weiszcsarda all evening attracted large crowds which congregated behind pickets, sometimes joining in ironical comments, but not daring to pass the picket line. Before leaving, the guests had to shoulder their way through the crowd, which did not molest them, but sarcastically expressed the hope that they had enjoyed their meal.

The paint-slinging campaign broke out again in various parts of the city. The painters were particularly active in the Wilmersdorffer and Kaiserallee, where they were still working at midnight.

Meanwhile, the long-threatened ban on Jewish brokers and stock-jobbers was effected, closing all German stock exchanges to Jews. A decree of the Economics Ministry provides that Jewish brokers and jobbers may be represented by “Aryan” agents.”