Rector Negotiates with Nazis

While Berlin University remains closed today as a result of the anti-Semitic excesses led by the Nazis yesterday, the rector of the institution, Dr. Heinrich Lueders, is negotiating with the representatives of the various political divisions of the student body for assurances that peace and order will be maintained.

Upon the result of these negotiations rests the final decision as to whether and when the university will resume classes. Unless the university authorities receive absolute assurance that the excesses will not be repeated, the university will remain closed for the entire semester, it is stated today.

At yesterday’s conference, the Nazi representatives stated they can give no assurance that peace will be maintained so long as the university is not purged of its Jewish students.

The Socialists and the Communist students declared unconditionally their willingness to abide by the orders of the rectorate.

When the rector, Dr. Lueders, pointed out that granting the Nazi request for the elimination of the Jewish students would be followed by a demand that Jewish professors be dismissed, the Nazis offered a compromise. They expressed their willingness to forget the matter of the Jewish professors provided the Jewish students are barred.

Rejecting the Nazi demands, the rectors at this point threatened to close the University for the entire semester. The only concession he can grant, he said, is to seat the Nazis on one side of the lecture rooms and the Jews on the other.

All citizens are equal, and Jews may enter the University, Dr. Lueders said.

The Nazis then suggested a compromise which failed to meet with the approval of the rector. They yielded on the question of the matriculation of the Jewish students, but demanded that the Jews be barred from the corridors following the lecture.

On this note the negotiations were broken off.