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Warsaw Jews Flogged, Kin in Belgium Told in Letters from Poland

April 26, 1940
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Flogging of Jews in Warsaw and conscription of young girls were reported today in letters received by Jews in Belgium from relatives who escaped from Nazi-occupied Poland.

On one day, it was said, 800 Jews were forced to parade through Warsaw’s principal streets shouting: “We Jews wanted war.” Jews were whipped indiscriminately and frequently Jews were forced to flog their co-religionists, it was reported.

Drafting of young Jewish girls has started, purportedly for compulsory labor services. Jews in Warsaw believe, however, that they will be sent to military brothels. Offices of the Jewish community are besieged every evening by despondent Jewish mothers vainly awaiting the return of their daughters.

The plight of the Jews has become so desperate, letters said, that Jewish leaders sought an interview with Dr. Hans Frank, German Governor General, but he refused to see them.

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