The Rumanian Government has been turning over to the Nazi authorities hundreds of Polish Jews who escaped the Gestapo dragnet and fled across the Rumanian border in the hope of finding haven, it was reliably learned here today. The refugees so returned were said to have been shot without exception. A considerable number of others, however, were reported to have evaded capture and are hiding in the Rumanian forests. They were said to be living miserably in caves and underground shelters, never daring to show themselves by day. Some have died of hunger.
Jewish leaders in Bucharest are known to have intervened with the authorities on behalf of the refugees, but in the light of Rumania’s treatment of her own Jewish population, which has been subjected to drastic discriminatory measures and depleted by deportation and pogroms, there is little likelihood of success.
Despite the callous treatment of refugees by the Rumanian Government hundreds of Polish Jews, desperately trying to avoid the Nazi “annihilation squads,” are daily trying to cross into Rumanian territory. The Rumanian press has discussed the subject, taking the stand that the right of asylum is one that must be restricted to “Aryans” alone.
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.
