Regulations virtually confiscating Jewish capital in the Greater Reich by forcing its investment in non-productive State enterprises were expected today to be issued in Berlin to implement Field Marshal Hermann Goering’s decree for registration of Jewish property.
The regulations were seen as one of the measures for complete elimination on of Jews from every aspect of German economy expected to follow the decree in raped succession. The nazi regime, after a long period of comparative inactivity on the Jewish question, is launching the final stage of the campaign to oust the Jews from economic life, it was believed here and in Berlin.
Although the measures are largely dictated by the difficulties of the Nazis in adequately financing projects which are economically unsound but necessary for the attainment of self-sufficiency, they are also inspired by a desire to establish a system for elimination of Jews from Austrian economy which will not repeat the “mistakes” made in Old Germany, where, after five years, the Jews still have a sizeable stake in the national economy.
Nazi leaders are convinced that Gleichschaltung (coordination) of Austria can only be accomplished by complete elimination of Jews. Although the measures are primarily aimed at Austria, the Nazis hope they can also force the final liquidation of the Jewish question in the Old Reich. In any event, Berlin and Vienna are determined not to duplicate the “mistaken leniency” with which the German Jews were treated.
No figures are available on the total number of Jews forced out of industry and commerce who are unable to reinvest their funds and are forced to live on the capital, but the number must run into the thousands. They will be particularly hard hit by measures forcing investment of remaining cash in non-dividend or limited dividend enterprises, such as Reichswerke (Government-owned enterprise). Many undoubtedly will be left without means of existence and dependent on the Jewish community organizations.
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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.
