German Government Condemns Desecration of Jewish Cemeteries

(J. T. A. Mail Service)

“The Federal Government, in whose name I speak, joins with you in your indignation and grief that it has been possible for Germans to do such things,” Dr. Koch, the Federal Minister of Justice, said in addressing the mass demonstration held here today under the auspices of the Union of German Citizens of the Jewish Faith, to protest against the repeated desecrations of Jewish cemeteries and of synagogues in Germany.

“We all, who are assembled here,” the Minister said, “know that those are Germans who in language, customs, culture and community of fate belong to the German fatherland. We are at one in condemning outrages committed by German citizens against German citizens in their places of worship. But when enmity is carried on even against the dead, then it is somethng which exceeds the bounds of anti-Semitism. It is then no longer a conflict between Germans of the Jewish faith and anti-Semites, but a conflict between human beings and beasts. You may be convinced that the Federal Government as the guardian of public order and peace, and in the interests of Germany’s good name abroad, will do its duty in regard to such outrages, for it is most deeply hurt and humiliated by these vandalistic offenses against right and decency. You have done right, therefore, to send your protest out into the world. The Government joins you in every way in this protest.”