Nazi Rule in Danzig Strikes at Jews

It was recently announced officially that Herr Rauschning, the moderate Nazi president of the Senate, had resigned his office. This means that power now more than ever is concentrated in the hands of district leader Albert Forster, the real head of the Nazi party in Danzig.

This move is the source of considerable apprehension to all citizens in Danzig who are not members of the party which since the elections of May, 1933, has controlled the government. But even earlier in the year various incidents, such as the suppression of the Communist party and the prohibition of a couple of opposition newspapers, raised doubts about the intention of the Nazi government to adhere to the letter of the constitution.

ATTACKED INDIRECTLY

The constitution of the Free City of Danzig, which is guaranteed by the League of Nations, provides for equality of treatment for all citizens and persons resident in Danzig irrespective of origin and religion. The Nazis have more than once promised to respect it, and it requires a two-thirds majority of the Diet to amend it. (This majority they do not at present possess). Nevertheless a series of incidents has given the Jews reason to fear that an attempt is being made to apply the “Aryan” clause in a doundabout way, especially in the civil service and the professions.

The methods of attack on the Jews are subtle rather than direct. For example, by an order of December 16, 1933, the Danzig National Socialist Teachers’ Union was declared to be the only body representing the teaching profession, and therefore Jewish teachers have to belong to a professedly anti-Semitic body. Two orders of June 14, 1933, and April 11, 1934, attach special conditions to the election of judges and notaries which open the way for discrimination by the Nazi Senate.

Again, an order of December 1, 1933, lays it down that:

A medical practitioner shall only be entitled to establish himself in a locality in the territory of the Free State of Danzig for the practice of the medical profession if a special authorization has been issued to him by the Senate. Such an authorization must be preceded by the consent of the medical chamber.

But the medical chamber is composed exclusively of Nazis, although constitutionally the Senate has no right to allow any discrimination. A similar procedure has been introduced with regard to chemists.

Apart from legislative enactments there are signs that the administrative machine has been put into motion against Jews. Schoolmasters and schoolmistresses in prominent positions have been either suddenly transferred to outlying districts or prematurely retired. In the Danzig state theatre, since the coming into power of the Nazi government, no Jewish artist has been engaged as singer, actor, or instrumentalist.

UNOFFICIAL BOYCOTT

A Jewish musical director and an orchestra conductor employed in broadcasting work were both dismissed soon after the accession of the new government. Again, three judges, one in the higher court, one in the district court, and one in the industrial court, who were Jews, have all been removed from their posts and placed in subordinate positions or retired.

Apart from such indirect semi-official maneuvers there has been an unofficial boycott of Jews, vigorously pursued with all the resources of the dominant party. The Nazi youth organizations and the so-called S. A. and S. S. detachments have ceased to consult Jewish dentists.

Pressure has been employed by organs and members of the Nazi party against Jewish advocates which has been so successful that distress among Jewish lawyers has reached substantial proportions. Jewish advocates have also ceased to be appointed official defending counsel, and even the cases of poor litigants are now assigned to Jews in smaller numbers.

UNDERHAND METHODS

In trade generally the underhand anti-Semitic boycott is strong. The slogan “Don’t buy from Jews” is not only proclaimed orally but also in writing. Vice President Greisler has urged (according to the Vorposten of June 2).

We need no boycott of Jews and no prohibition against buying from those who are not of our race and country. For the Danziger it is enough to be told that he serves the cause of the revival of home industry if he buys from Danzig German firms.

Another form of disguised boycott has been observed in connection with the municipal market administration, which assigned to Jewish traders a special place for their stalls; protests against this proceeding have by no means proved completely effective. Jewish employes are also in a bad way. Salaried employes have been forced to withdraw from their unions, and the labor exchanges seldom introduce Jewish workers publicly to prospective employers.

The anti-Jewish movement in Danzig is stirred up by the official Nazi paper, the Vorposten, which delivers outrageous attacks on the Jews.

“NO DECENT JEWS”

President Rauschning refused to use his influence to restrain the paper. It may also be noted that the notorious Stuermer is openly displayed and sold in Danzig.

Finally, the leading National Socialists in Danzig were provided this summer with a circular giving instructions for their future propaganda activity. After laying it down that such expressions as “Polish swine” and other provocations were taboo, it went on to describe the attitude to be adopted towards oher groups.

Of the Jews it observed: “There are no decent Jews. The race is and must remain our mortal enemies…. Personall intercourse with Jews is impossible for National Socialists.” Such are the instructions handed out to members of the party which for a year and a half has been ruling Danzig, despite a Constitution prescribing toleration for every race and religion.