An apparently concerted attack on Jewish stores and warehouses in many parts of Germany has raged since the beginning of the week.
The most ominous feature of these attacks is the extent to which Nazi Troopers are taking the law into their own hands.
The attacks on the Jewish stores reached a climax on Wednesday when in numerous cities in the industrial areas, particularly in the neighborhood of Essen, many Jewish Department Stores were compelled to close down.
According to the reports circulated by the Berlin Telegraph Union, large detachments of Nazi Storm Troopers prevented buyers entering Jewish stores in Essen. Pickets composed of Nazis stood outside the stores, obstructing the entrances and calling upon Germans to buy only from Germans. Strong forces of Nazis also appeared at the large Woolworth stores in Essen and attempted to institute a boycott. Thereupon, the management hoisted the Swastika emblem which is regarded in Germany as a symbol of sympathy for the Nazi program.
Apart from the vocal demonstrations outside Jewish shops, there was no disturbance of the peace in Essen, and no violence was used.
All the Jewish shops affected by the pickets closed down and submitted their complaints to the local authorities.
Despite the known fact that the Nazis have, for a long time, carried on an agitation against Jewish stores, the Nazi headquarters in the affected areas have issued a statement to the effect that they have issued no order to their followers to close down the Jewish shops. They add, however, that it is the Nazi population themselves, who refused to tolerate the continued existence of the Jewish businesses. The Nazi communique also expresses commendation for the work of individual
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.
