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Danzig Jews to Dissolve Community, Speed Emigration

December 20, 1938
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Under pressure of the Gestapo, Jewish groups have decided to liquidate the Jewish community organization within the near future and to concentrate on a program of emigration from the Nazi-controlled Free City. A meeting of the community board held Saturday night in the Great Synagogue on request of the Danzig Senate voted unanimously to wind up the community’s activities. Observers present included Senate representatives and the Police Chief.

Dr. Itzig, vice-president of the community, outlined the Senate’s plan for forcing emigration of all Danzig Jewish nationals and stateless Jews while Jews of Polish citizenship would be forced to return to Poland. The plan would be financed with the entire property of the Jewish community and private Jewish funds in addition. The Senate is prepared to release from currency restrictions 500,000 guilders, which is about $100,000 or $20 per Jew. (The estimated Jewish population of Danzig is 5,000.)

A delegation comprising Dr. Itzig and Mr. Segal went to London by plane yesterday to negotiate with Jewish organizations on the plan. They also intend to go to Paris and possibly will proceed to New York later. Dr. Itzig warned at the meeting that the Danzig Jews were doomed to destruction and faced internment in a concentration camp.

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