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Lithuanian ‘auber Alles’ – Kovno Vandals’ Slogan

February 9, 1923
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“Lithuanian aeber alles” is the slogan of nationalists who startled Kovno the other morning by smearing with pitch and black paint all shop windows and private houses displaying signs in Yiddish, Polish or German. No institution was spared, the shield over the offices of the Ministry for Jewish affairs having also been given a coat of pitch. Street names in Yiddish, Polish or German were be-spattered beyond legibility.

This vandalization is said to have been perpetrated by about 200 soldiers and civilians who toured the city in automobiles the early hours of the morning. The zeal of the nationalists is best illustrated by the fact that visiting cards of appartments on the second and third floors were obliterated, if printed in a language other than Lithuanian.

As far as it is ascertained, the police did not interfere with the nationalists, as it is highly improbable that the work could have been accomplished with such thoroughness as to leave not a single sign bearing a non-Lithuanian inscription had the Police intervened.

Jewish shopkeepers have met and decided to demand the dismissal of the town commandant, threatening to close the shops for seven days if he is not removed.

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