Inquiries made through diplomatic channels today revealed that Otto Schick, editor of the Berlin bureau of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, who was arrested Wednesday by the Nazi authorities, is accused of insulting the police by his interpretation of facts involving a raid by Berlin police authorities on the Jews in the Grenadierstrasse. Although it was admitted that he presented the facts correctly, exception was taken to one part of the story referring to the confiscation of $200 from a rabbi. Shick’s telegram was confiscated and was not forwarded to the London office of the news service, to which it was addressed.
Diplomatic officials who interceded in behalf of the newspaperman were informed that Schick would be sentenced to fourteen days. Nevertheless, it is hoped that his release will be effected within a few days.
Following requests from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he intercede for Schick, who is an Austrian citizen, the Austrian consul here communicated with the authorities and later notified the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he believed Schick would be released in three or four days.
Raymond Geist, the American consul, has made strong efforts in behalf of the newspaperman and has taken the matter up with the authorities. The American consulate today authorized the following statement:
“The American consul, Raymond Geist, has made informal inquiries with the Berlin police regarding the arrest of Mr. Schick. The police informed the consul that Schick was arrested on account of a telegram presenting police action in a false light. It is believed that in view of the inquiries made by the American consul, Mr. Schick will be released soon.”
Schick is being held at police headquarters in the Alexander-strasse. Efforts by other representatives of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to see him have thus far been unavailing but a written note was accepted by the authorities for transmission to him.
The State Department in Washington, which was requested to intercede in behalf of the newspaperman, revealed today that it is in communication with the authorities abroad and will do everything in its power to aid him.
Word of Mr. Schick’s arrest was first received here Thursday but no grounds for the action were disclosed by the Nazi officials.
Nazi authorities have frequently expressed sharp dissatisfaction with news stories credited to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and have on several occasions threatened to close the agency’s Berlin office.
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.
