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Reich Taxes Jews 20% of Wealth to Collect Fine; Foreign Aid Barred

November 25, 1938
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The Nazi Government yesterday ruled that the 1,000,000,000 mark ($400,000,000) fine imposed in retaliation for the killing of a German diplomat at Paris must be paid by German Jews without assistance from Jews in other lands. An ordinance published in the official gazette said the huge fine will be levied as an extraordinary contribution on Jewish fortunes, but will not be appalled to total fortunes of less than 5,000 marks (about $2,000). The fine, payable in four installments, will amount to about 20 per cent of each fortune.

Payments drawn from insurance funds will have to be remitted immediately to the Finance Bureau in conformity with an ordinance issued on Nov. 12, pertaining to reconditioning of Jewish stores, it was said. These payments will be charged up to the Jewish contribution. If the insurance contributions, however, are greater than the Jewish contribution the surplus will go to the Reich Government.

All German Jews and Jewesses ordered to add the Jewish given names of Israel or Sarah to their German given names beginning Feb. I of next year must inform police and civil authorities in the district where they reside of their second given names.

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