Conditions akin to slavery have been imposed by the Germans upon Jews in the occupied Polish area near the Lithuanian frontier, it was reported here today.
The invaders are rounding up all Jews, including rabbis, and placing them in special camps where they are organized into work groups. Cruelly treated and badly fed, the Jews are forced to work 16 hours daily in roads and fields.
Illness is rife among the prisoners, who have insufficient clothing for the cold weather, and many deaths are reported.
Many Jews, including women, have been sentenced to death on charges of sabotage and murder of Germans.
Property held by organizations has been confiscated and all synagogues that escaped the Nazi bombardments have been closed.
Jews in the town of Suwalki have been evicted from the few houses left standing, which have been taken over by the troops, and the entire population, largely Jewish, is suffering from hunger.
Members of community ruling bodies and the leaders of political parties have been arrested and transported to an unknown destination. Many who attempted to escape to Lithuania were caught at the frontier by German soldiers.
Adding to unbearable conditions in the occupied territories is a strong recrudescence of Polish anti-Semitism. In some areas, anti-Jewish excesses are reported to have occurred. Jewish apartments have been demolished and sale of food to Jews has been refused.
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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.
