A new German decree restricting the crossing of Reich frontiers by persons within the military conscription age limits was reported today to be due to disturbing increase in the number of desertions from the army, the Havas News Agency said.
Although it could not be confirmed that this was the explanation, it was known that considerable uneasiness had been occasioned by Interior Minister Wilhelm Frick’s ruling that no German subject to military obligations can obtain a passport without special permission from his district’s military authorities.
Foreign observers linked the edict with recent measures paving the way for general civil mobilization and reinforcement of army garrisons in certain parts of the Reich. Whatever its origins, the restriction was held certain to curtail Germany’s outward bound tourist trade, already depleted by stringent currency restrictions.
All German males between 18 and 45 are automatically banned from foreign travel by the edict. For residents of East Prussia the maximum age limit is 55.
On railway and bus excursions to neighboring countries and even to the German frontier zones, tickets are refused to all persons suspected of attempting to evade this labor camp or military training obligations.
German athletes going to other countries must carry special credentials from officials of their organization.
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.
