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Two Jews Brutally Murdered in German Provinces

March 26, 1933
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The murder of two Jews in the provinces has become known today. They are Oswald Laufer of Wuppertal-Elberfeld, and Otto Selt of Straubing.

Oswald Laufer, 26, was arrested at Wuppertal-Elberfeld, allegedly for his own protection. He was later released from jail, but was followed home from prison and shot down when he was entering his parent’s house.

Otto Selt, 46, a cattle dealer in Straubing was dragged out of bed last Wednesday, and spirited away in a motorcar. Subsequently, he was found on the road dead, with two bullet holes in his body and with his skull battered. In neither case have the murderers been discovered.

In Berlin, the anti-Jewish agitation is continuing unabated. Pamphlets, bearing the title, “The Jews Demand Hitler’s Murder”, are freely sold in the streets. The first page of the pamphlet reproduces an article from last week’s “Voelkischer Beobachter” alleging that “as Jews compare Hitler with Haman, they are planning to murder Hitler in the same way.” It also quotes other passages from the Jewish press in which an analogy is drawn between Hitlerism and the events of Purim, and the downfall of Haman. It is significant that none of the newspapers has hitherto dared to point out the dangerous consequences that must follow from this public incitement and agitation.

Nor is there any diminution in the volume of Jewish expulsions from employment and official positions. The press publishes daily long lists of Jews already dismissed from municipal office, as well as names of Jewish firms enjoying Government contracts and against whom action is being taken by the Government for alleged fraud. It should be mentioned that this practice of accusing non-Nazis abroad has become quite common as a means of agitation, and has even been directed against such personalities as Severing and Bruening.

The press also announces the closing down of Jewish childrens’ nurseries, childrens’ homes and musical schools “until a different spirit is introduced.”

Taking as his topic, “The Position of the Jew in the World Today,” Mr. Morris Rothenberg, President of the Zionist Organization of America and Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Agency, will deliver a radio address today over Station WMCA at 12 o’clock noon.

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