Germany’s Jewish War Veterans to Defend Fellows

Thousand Berlin Shops Mostly Jewish, Looted

Jewish veterans of the World War, especially those who are members of the Jewish Front Soldiers Associations have organized to defend themselves and other Jews against such attacks as marked the pogrom in the German Capital commencing Monday.

Aware of the danger to Jewish life and property from the ceaseless nationalist agitation against Jews, Jewish war veterans had long decided to prepare to resist the threatened attack. On Monday they were caught unawares and it was not before nightfall that groups of the ex-service men were formed to strike back. A section of the veterans opposed separate action in defence of the Jews on the ground that it was the business of the Reich Government to protect all citizens. But it is understood that even this section has been won over to the view that the menace of pogroms is too real.

Violent food riots and plundering of clothing and other shops continued during the night despite apparent efforts to check them. It is estimated that at least a thousand food and clothing establishments, mostly those owned by Jews, have been robbed in the last two days.

The Jewish sections of the city which were the scenes of pogrom activities Monday afternoon and night are mournfully quiet. Cordons of police have been drawn around it. For fear that the shops, although closed, may still prove a temptation to the Voelkische hooligans.

Christian shopkeepers today resorted to the expedient of putting up signs “Christian Shops” over their place of business.

Although the plundering today was less sporadic than on Monday it appears to have been well-organized, directed, it would seem, by the extreme Right parties who are anxious to embarrass the Government.

Jewish pedestrians and motorists were held up today in the streets and robbed, the gangsters selecting such foreign Jews who are without right of domicile and may not even complain to the authorities.