It is reported that two Jewish shopkeepers in Stavenhagen, Mecklenburg, were recently taken into “protective custody” for advertising that they had National Socialist flags for sale. The political authorities ordered their arrest on the ground that the Nazi colors by Jews is desecration.
Reich Minister Rudolf Hess, in a statement regarding warehouses and department stores, said in part as follows:
“Taking into account the general economic situation, and the need of providing work for our people, it was added that no active measures against warehouses, department stores or similar enterprises were to be undertaken.
“The attitude was proclaimed by our Party headquarters in the belief that the owners and managers of Jewish stores would conduct their business with tact, withdraw from publicity and not sell National Socialist emblems, flags, photographs of our leader, uniforms for children and adults, Storm Troop equipment, etc. As this has not been done, we are compelled to return to our previous attitude and to make this public.”
It is inconceivable that German Jews, with but very few exceptions, could stoop so low as to kiss the hand that smote them and endeavor to sell Nazi flags or photographs of Hitler, though for bidden to do so by the authorities. The few offenders, if the report is accurate, have served as a pretext for the enforcement of new restrictive measures against Jewish-owned department stores and warehouses. Such offenders, devoid of sense of self-respect, have caused additional harm and humiliation to their own people.
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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.
