Polish official circles reported today that the Nazi authorities in Warsaw had designated two squares–Zelazna Brama and Zbavitelia–for public hangings, primarily of those guilty of “food speculation,” and posters simultaneously announced the execution of three Poles and Jews.
The report said the Nazis were making every possible effort to blame “Jewish speculators” for the food shortage in German-occupied Poland with the double purpose of explaining the scarcity, caused by diversion of food supplies to Germany, and inciting the Polish population against the Jews.
Meanwhile, bread rations for Jews have been decreased in Warsaw and Cracow, and even the reduced ration is hardly available. Jews must live on an average supply of a half kilogram of bread weekly per person, for which they must wait on line for hours and sometimes for days.
Soap has been taken off the Jewish ration cards, effective last Monday. Potatoes are no longer available and there is a complete lack of meat and fats. Some food can be bought privately from peasants, but prices are prohibitive.
The Nazi Polish-language organ, Nowy Kurjer Warszawski, reports that the Nazi authorities in Warsaw ordered anti-typhus vaccinations for the entire population, but there were not sufficient physicians and serum to accomplish this.
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.
