Two hundred eighty thousand members of the National Christian Party brought here from all over the country turned out today in the greatest anti-Semitic demonstration in the history of Rumania.
Carrying a large swastika emblem, they paraded through the streets of Bucharest from ten a.m. to eight p.m., singing patriotic songs and shouting, “Death to the Jews!”
There was no damage to Jewish property and only three minor incidents were reported. Police had taken the precaution of arresting 400 persons whom they identified as known rowdies.
Jews kept off the streets all day. Cafes and amusement places were virtually deserted. Most shopkeepers had emptied their show windows and many had shuttered them with iron grills.
Long columns of marchers were flanked by special blue-shirted party police carrying heavy clubs. It was said the demonstration passed off quietly because Professors Alexander Cuza and Octavius Goga, Fascist leaders, wished to show the party was organized seriously and ready to take over the reins of government.
The fact that there was no interference with the wearing of the prohibited uniforms was interpreted as signifying the march had the Government’s tacit support. Another evidence of support was seen
in the fact the authorities had placed at the party’s disposal 2,100 railway cars to transport the marchers to the capital free of charge.
With the participants receiving food for the day gratis and the cost of the demonstration estimated at $200,000 speculation was aroused as to the source of funds, since the National Christian Party does not enjoy the support of financiers or industrialists.
It was pointed out that the demonstration was organized with German thoroughness and observers said to gave Bucharest the aspect of a Balkan Nuremberg.
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.
