POLISH JEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23101, 29 October 1938, Page 17

POLISH JEWS

EXPELLED FROM GERMANY AND AUSTRIA THOUSANDS ORDERED TO “ GET OUT " ONLY ALLOWED TO TAKE ESSENTIAL FOOD Press Association—By Te.eeraph—-Copyright LONDON, October 28. (Received October 29, at 10 a.m.) A new intense drive against Polish Jews in Germany and Austria has been launched, involving the immediate gaoling or expulsion without belongings of thousands, who were summoned from their homes and ordered to “ get out,” taking only essential food and the minimum of clothing. In Vienna 2,000 Jews were arrested in all-night police raids. They are being transported to the frontier. In Berlin hundreds were arrested in lightning raids. It was alleged that their presence was illegal, or that their passports were inadequate. Raids were carried out at 5 a.m. in many cities. tt is believed that thousands of Polish Jews, who were chiefly rounded up, will be repatriated tonight. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press, understands that all Poles, Jews and non-Jews, have been ordered to attend their consulates to have their passports specially stamped before the end of October. This is done under the Polish law of March, 1938, covering re-establishment of citizenship by Poles long resident abroad. Failure to comply might result in loss of citizenship, thus depriving the countries in which Poles are living of the right of deportation. All male Jews who were not ordered to attend the aliens’ bureau have been rounded up by the police. Those over 75, invalids, and possessors of emigration tickets were allowed to leave.

ATMOSPHERE OF UNCERTAINTY SOME ORDERS MAY BE RESCINDED LONDON, October 28. (Received October 29, at 2 p.m,) The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says that the extent of the expulsion of Polish Jews from Germany and Austria is not yet certain. The Polish Embassy characterises it as a premature report. In the meantime the round-up continues. The position seems to be that if Poland ensures that the persons concerned will not become citizenshipless in Germany the deportation orders will bo rescinded. The ostensible reason for the expulsions, which allegedly are not due to mere anti-Semitism, is that Germany fears that a number of undesirable Polish Jews would not receive visas from Poland to enable them to re-enter that country, and might become a burden on the Reich.

Seven hundred were imprisoned at Munich pending a decision. The Berlin police escorted to the frontier in trains, many in cattle trucks, 4,000 from various towns, where they collected them in vans. They were allowed to retain only 10s apiece. Many women and children, though not compelled to accompany them, decided to do so.