A decree practically forbidding Jews to earn a living in any capacity whatever is ready for promulgation, possibly on Jan. I, it was learned today in authoritative quarters. The decree would turn a half million Jews, nearly half of whom are now on relief, into paupers.
It is indicated that the only persons who will escape the edict are a few hundred doctors, lawyers and welfare workers and only enough tradespeople to cater to Jewish needs. The Nazi broom will sweep away all Jewish factories, banks and presumably wholesale houses.
No Jew will be permitted to work for an “Aryan” in any capacity, and no “Aryan” will be permitted to work for a Jew. An insignificant number of businessmen will escape the general ban because the nazi party does not wish to force “Volks Genossen” (racial comrades) to deal with Jews. The retention of Jewish welfare workers is aimed at preserving the machinery of emigration, which is the ultimate goal of the drive.
Nazis do not fear that the virtual stoppage of Jewish economic activity will have any serious effects on the Reich’s economy since the cream of Jewish enterprises have already been “Aryanized.” two months remain to take over whatever remaining businesses are worthwhile, and the remainder will simply be closed down.
The decision represents a victory for the Nazi extremists. Certain party quarters had begun to urge that Jews be permitted to retain a partial hold in the textile industry to preserve valuable foreign connections, but the rapid “Aryanization” of the industry apparently removed any ground for that argument.
Meanwhile, with anti-Jewish measures increasing Jewish unemployment, municipalities are barring Jews from the dole. Almost without exception, penniless Jews are told to apply to the Jewish community, which is able to maintain welfare activities only as long as there are Jews here with money to support them.
Reports that the Reich railways will soon decree special compartments for Jewish travelers are again persistent.
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.
