Whether Jews in Germany are to be considered citizens of the Reich or just inhabitants will be decided by a special law, which is now under consideration in the German Cabinet and which will be published before the end of the month, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned today from authoritative sources.
The new law will definitely establish the legal and political status of the Jews in Germany in order to make clear what the Jews who remain in the Reich can expect. This new law, it was explained today, will end the period of uncertainty and doubt as to the Jewish status in Germany. The place of the German Jew in the Reich will be clearly defined by the law.
WILL BAR ARMY SERVICE
The new law will definitely bar Jews from service in the German army, it was stated here today. In view of the differences of opinion now prevailing in the Cabinet with regard to the question as to whether Jews should be conscripted, this new law will be issued earlier than originally planned. It will, however, not beenacted for several weeks to come.
Jewish leaders in Berlin have long asked for the issuance of a law which should clearly define their status in the Reich. In asking for such a law, they emphasize that the present uncertain position of the Jews in Germany gives local Nazi officials the opportunity to act against the Jews even in such fields where application of the “Aryan” paragraph has not been provided for. The clarification of the Jewish status by law will create uniformity in the method of treating Jews all over the country and will put an end to the mistreatment of Jews, especially in the provinces.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
