basis of the supplementary regulations to the conscription law. All those born in 1914 and 1915, and in East Prussia also in 1910, must therefore present themselves. German Jews are liable to service even if they are not qualified for active military serice.”
The statement refers to Paragraph 19, Clause 2, of the Ordinance, which says that those of “non-Aryan” origin who are liable to service and who do not within a fortnight after the conscription date submit an application for active military service, are transferred to the Additional Reserve II, which means that they are placed on leave.
“The possibility of submitting such an application,” the statement of the Reichsvertretung explains, “exists under Paragraph 15, which allows for active military service irrespective of ‘Aryan’ origin. This exemption does not apply, however, to pure race Jews.
“It is therefore useless for German Jews to apply for active military service. This must be made clear, no matter how painfully this legislation may affect German Jewry. To make such applications would also be incompatible with the requirement that Jews should remain reserved,” the statement concludes.
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.
