Says Economic Discrimination Most Serious Aspect of Jewish Situation in Germany

The present cabinet in Germany has created a situation whereby the inciting agitation of Hitler and his press are almost as importaant as the declarations of reassurance issued by the government, states a leading editorial in the “Rundschau,” organ of the general Zionists in Germany, which has just reached this country.

More important even than the attacks upon the Jews and the demonstrative anti-Jewish attitude of Adolph Hitler, the Nationalist Socialist leader, is the economic discrimination which is beginning to be felt,” the paper says.

The Jews of Germany cannot accept reassurance with confidence since the words are uttered in an atmosphere so poisoned it must occasion great concern, says the editorial.

The new Cabinet has twice already through the mouth of the Reich Minister of Interior, Freiherr von Gaylonce in an interview and a second time in a long speech-issued statements intended to calm public opinion,” says the “Rundschau.” In his first statement Mr. Gayl stated that the new cabinet would not be as sensitive and discriminating as the previous-governments and would therefore forgivingly overlook “small clashes.” Only serious attacks, especially against the head of the state, would be prosecuted with all the weight of the law, it was indicated. The government is to concern itself with the maintenance of peace and order and with the protection of the rights of each citizen.

In a long speech held before the Reichs Council, the paper continues, “Freiherr von Gayl said among other things: ‘As to the general cultural life of our nation, especially in the radio and movie fields, it seems to me of importance to emphasize and cultivate the German spirit and to eradicate all non-German, alien influences, which for some time have antagonized a great part of the German nation.’

“This statement, as well as the first declaration of the policies of the new Cabinet, show a remarkable mixture of intentions and assertions which can hardly evoke an impression of unison. On the one hand, a repeated emphasis that the government’s actions will be guided by the constitution, and on the other hand an astonishing repetition of a phraseology which emanates from the Nationalist Socialist publications.

“There can be no doubt that the government has the greatest interest and desire to put an end to the uneasiness which prevails in wide circles because of the uncertainty over the coming political developments. It is, however, questionable whether the statements of the Cabinet will be able to achieve their goal in this respect. The situation in Germany, unfortunately, is such that statements of the “Voelkischer Beobachter” and the behaviour of Mr. Hitler are regarded as being as nearly important as official declarations by the government.

“When the ‘Voelkischer Beobachter’ triumphantly states that the coming establishment of the ‘third Reich,’ causes many Jews to flee from Germany and to seek shelter in Spain (which so far is not the case) and that this flight of the Jews would assume greater proportions in the coming months; when Hitler refuses to testify on the witness stand with the explanation that he does not reply to questions by a Jewish lawyer, such words have so strange an affect, that even the word of the Reich Minister of Interior are overshadowed by them.

“It seems that the government intends to counteract the extreme forms of the National Socialism and its “Socialistic’ components, by trying to secure recognition as a ‘National’ regime. The maintenance of a peaceful state through the force of the government, is of course, of vital interest for the Jews. But up until now we have much to report concerning the numerous anti-Semitic excesses against the Jews in Germany.

“But these facts already quoted are not the only and not the most dangerous assertions concerninfg the anti-Jewish course (although they arouse much attention). More impressive and more important are the other symptoms, although they do not manifest themselves by the use of ‘brass knuckles’ or by calls of ‘Judaea perish!’ It is a usual and daily occurrence for a Jewish lawyer, an expert, etc., to hear in a public institution that ‘the situation which has prevailed until now will be changed’ and that the Jews will do well if they will begin to adjust themselves to a new situation.

“These fears are so impressive that loud rumors are now circulating about the start of a Jewish flight from within Germany. We mean by that the ‘trend to Southern Germany,’ which the papers reported, and also the transfer of some firms to Munich, and the desire of many Jews to avoid the districts where the Nationalist Socialist influences are unrestricted.

“This is the Jewish reality in Germany. And against that, comforting pills are unaffective. There is a good reason for not having much confidence in programs and words. When one is aware the atmosphere in which these words are spoken is so poisoned, there is ample cause to look to the future with serious concern,” the editorial concludes.