Nazis’ Pressure on Jews Even in Silesia Found Harsh As Ever

This is the concluding part of a report based on a survey of the present condition of the Jews undertaken by a special investigator for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The survey was made since the Ministry of the Interior ordered a cessation of the economic campaign against the Jews.

The favorable results anticipated from the creation by the secret political police of a “Jewish Department” have hardly failed to materialize thus far. It had been hoped by Jewish leaders that this special department, devoted exclusively to Jewish affairs, would lead to a better attitude towards the Jewish population and to some form of understanding resulting in better treatment of the Jews and of Jewish interests.

While, to date, this hope has not been fulfilled to any appreciable extent, nevertheless it is too early to state definitely that it is a misguided one. The department is only now beginning to develop its activities. The results will not be forthcoming for months.

Although the government tolerates the activities of many Jewish organizations such as the relief agencies and the Zionist Federation, it maintains a close watch on them. All are kept under strict observation.

POSITION UNIMPROVED

Despite rulings of the League of Nations regarding the treatment of the Jews in Upper Silesia, the survey for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reveals, the position of the Jewish minority there is no better than that of the Jews in Germany proper.

At the recent session of the League of Nations, a detailed memorandum was submitted by the Jewish communities of Upper Silesia to Sean Lester, then the Council’s rapporteur on the Upper Silesian question. This report brought out many facts unfavorable to the contentions made by the representatives of the German government at the session. In accordance with existing procedure, the memorandum had to be submitted to the League, not directly, but through the agency of the German government, so that the Government might be able to present its observations on it.

It is here revealed for the first time that the German government, unable to suppress the memorandum by legal means, forced the Jewish communities to withdraw it. Mr. Lester was informed that “the situation has changed for the better since the memorandum was drawn up” and “there is now little to complain about in the treatment of the Jewish population in Upper Silesia.”

GUARDIAN REVEALED TRUTH

The declaration was made to Mr. Lester at Geneva. It need not, however, be taken seriously.

The true situation in Upper Silesia was revealed in a series of articles in the Manchester Guardian which revealed the plight of the Jews in the plebiscite area as every bit as evil as that of the Jews in Germany. A comprehensive report on the situation was prepared by Dr. N. Feinberg, who made a special survey of Upper Silesia and completed his report the week before the League Council met.

The Jewish question in Germany today is as dangerous as it has been at any time since Adolf Hitler and his Nazi hordes brought about the end of the German Republic. The passage of eight months has not brought any diminution in the ruthless campaign which has beggared a once-prosperous German Jewry. Overriding the judgment of certain less influential members of the government, the Nazi regime is continuing its program of economic extirpation of Jews. Physically, economically and politically, the situation of the Jews in the Reich remains the same as before. The only difference lies in the fact that the functioning of the anti-Jewish program has improved with practice.

The great danger at the present lies in that the world outside the Reich may find its reactions to what is going on blunted as persecution and suppression settle down into the routine of daily life.