Nazis Balk Berlin Jews’ Move to Aid Polish Jewry; Hunger Toll Growing

It was reliably learned here today that the Nazi authorities have rejected a request by the Berlin Jewish Community, itself despoiled by seven years under the Hitler regime, to dispatch relief to the Jewish population of Nazi-occupied Poland.

Information reaching here through neutral channels indicated, at the same time, that the position of Polish Jewry is daily growing more serious. Features of the situation include complete isolation of the various Jewish communities, continued plund of Jews in Warsaw and hunger approaching famine proportions with no prospect of amelioration for at least six months.

Reich Jewry is completely cut off from contact with Jews in Poland. In Poland itself, the various Jewish communities are completely isolated from each other. All reports of alleged Jewish delegations from Berlin or Vienna reaching Warsaw are false. No contact exists even between the Jews in Old Germany and those in Austria.

Bread rations for Jews in Warsaw have been reduced to approximately half a pound per person per week. Jewish ration cards are colored differently from those issued to Poles and they permit purchase of bread only in Jewish bakeries, of which only a few are allowed to operate.

Jewish bakeries are the last to be supplied with flour. As a result, many Jews return home empty-handed after long hours of waiting in line for their ration. Days often go by with many Jews unable to purchase bread.

Adding to the famine conditions is the fact that all available foodstuffs are being shipped by the Nazis into the Reich interior. Deaths from starvation are reported to be increasing daily, with no prospects for improvement in the near future as it will be at least six months before the new crop is harvested.

A neutral diplomat just arrived here from a visit to Warsaw said he hardly recognized the former Polish capital, particularly the Jewish quarter, which he said had been virtually wiped out.

The diplomat confirmed reports that the Jews were being treated as entirely outside the law. He said their position can be summarized in one phrase: “They are under the law of the jungle.”

Nazis still broke into Jewish homes, plundering them with impunity, he said. Jews who tried to obtain receipts for confiscated property were, the diplomat reported brutally treated.

A famous kosher restaurant on Marszalkowska Street, it was learned, was “Aryanis by the Nazis in 15 minutes. A group of German officers entered the restaurant during lunch hour and gave the proprietors and customers that much time to clear out.