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Rumania Closes All Jewish Libraries in Bessarabia; to Purge Bucharest Theatres

January 16, 1938
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All Jewish libraries and numerous Jewish-owned book shops in the province of Bessarabia were closed by the authorities today allegedly as centers of Communist propaganda.

A meeting of the Cabinet Council, presided over by King Carol, decided to dissolve the Distom Company, which supplies the Government monopoly with such articles as tobacco and soap, and replace it with a Government institution comprising “pure Rumanians.” The Distom Company employs many Jews.

The Arts Ministry requested all theatres in Bucharest to submit personnel lists to facilitate elimination of all Jewish artists in the National Theatre, National Opera and private theatres subsidized by the Government. The ministry at the same time prohibited a well-known Yiddish theatrical troupe from performing in Rumania. The troupe is headed by Miss Sidy Thal, Rumania’s most popular Jewish actress.

The Labor Ministry issued instructions for dismissal of all Jewish doctors from social insurance institutions throughout the country and their replacement by Christians.

Two Jewish newspapermen in Jassy, B. Casunski and I. Hunt, have been arrested on charges of spreading alarmist reports. They will be tried by a military court. The authorities announced strict measures would be taken against spreading of unfounded rumors and exaggerated statements on Rumania’s internal situation.

Justice Minister Radulescu-Mehidinti received a delegation of Jewish lawyers headed by Dr. Samuel Singer, who submitted a memorandum on the menacing situation in which Jewish attorneys have been placed.

A conflict has broken out between the Union of Christian Lawyers and the disciplinary council of the Rumanian Bar Association over the elimination of Jewish lawyers. While the union demands immediate expulsion of Jewish members, the council has postponed action until revision of citizenship lists has been completed. The final decision rests with the Minister of Justice, who has promised to exclude Jewish lawyers whose registrations with the Bar Association are found not in accordance with regulations.

Iron Guard support was pledged the Goga Government yesterday by Corneliu Zelea-Codreanu, who said his organization would back the Nationalist regime on budget, anti-Jewish measures and other urgent legislation provided the present Parliament were not dissolved. Codreanu warned, however, that the present Government could not poll 30 percent of the vote in new elections while the Iron Guard would double its vote.

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