U.K. Firms Dismiss German Workers

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 9

U.K. Firms Dismiss German Workers

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 13. The “Daily Telegraph” said today that three British firms had given notice of dismissal to German employees as a “reprisal” for anti-Jewish activities in West Germany.

Letters complaining of this had been sent to the German Embassy in London. According to the newspaper, German correspondents in London were told about the dismissals at their monthly “off the record” press conference with the Charge d’Affaires (Dr. Ritter).

They were also told that a large London store had cancelled orders from Germany and cleared all German-made goods from its windows.

According to the “Daily Telegraph” the German press attache said early today: “The people who have been sacked have been told it is because they are Germans.

“We have compiled a list of the firms concerned and sent it to Germany ... as far as we are concerned this has got to stop.” The coloured entertainer, Josephine Baker, spoke out against the world-wide outbreak of antiSemitic incidents at a protest meeting in Paris last night attended by more than 5000 persons.

“Born of a negro mother and a Jewish father, I appeal to you all to unite to fight with all your strength against racism whicn has never been completely wiped out since the end of the war.” she said

Jewish, Protestant and Catholic priests and politicians who spoke after her at the meeting, organised by the International

League Against Anti-Semitism, attacked “all those who attempt to defile human beings.” The meeting unanimously adopted a resolution stigmatising all attempts at reviving antiSemitism.

Police in Bari, southern Italy, last night guarded the offices of the local newspaper—which has condemned anti-Semitism—fol-lowing a threat to dynamite the premises if it did not abandon its anti-Nazi campaign. The threatening letter was signed only “Bari anti-Semitic committee.” Bari police also threw up road blocks to catch persons in a car who painted three huge swastikas on a major highway. Other swastika incidents were reported from Florence, Lecce, Ferrari and Chiavari.

Russia, which has about 500,000 practising Jews, has also had its anti-Semitic troubles, according to Israeli Radio. A broadcast last night, quoting a member of the Soviet Commission for Religious Affairs, said the Synagogue of the Moscow suburb of Malakhovka was set on fire during the Jewish New Year festival last autumn.

The fire “resulted in the deatn of the 80-year-old wife of the Synagogue beadle.” Police had arrested the guilty persons and started an inquiry, the radio added.

The Soviet official blamed "a few irresponsible individuals.”