JEW TAKES CHARGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 3

JEW TAKES CHARGE

POLICE OF COLOGNE PERSECUTED FOR 12 YEARS Sydney, March 26. After having been persecuted by the Nazis for 12 years, “Herr Karl, a 61-year-old Jew, has been appointed by the American occupation army to be Chief of Police in Cologne, reports Harold Austin, “Sydney Morning Herald” war correspondent on the Rhine. “Herr Karl.” whose full name cannot be published because some of his relatives are still in German hands, occupied a high position in the Cologne police force until he was removed by the Nazis in 1933. He takes charge of 300 German policemen who have been specially selected and trained by the Americans. They will be responsible for the law and order of the city and will help eliminate Nazi political activity. “Herr Karl.” whose grey hair and heavily-lined face show the strain to which he has been subjected, received correspondents in the ruins of a former office building which German carpenters are attempting to make habitable as police headquarters. He showed them a cloth Star of David which he, together with all other Jews had been compelled to wear on his left breast. “Life has not been very good,” he commented. “The Nazis made it very hard for Jews, although I was better treated than the majority because my wife is a Christian. All my valuables were confiscated and I was forced to take the name Israel to emphasise my Jewish blood.” In 1933, he said, there wer» 18,000 Jews in Cologne. In 1939 there were only 6000, and now only 300. Periodically the Jews were rounded up and taken to a "home.” Nobody heard of them again. “Herr Karl” was warned in January that he was to go to a "home,” but he went into hiding and remained there until the Americans entered Cologne. He has very decided views on war criminals. "They should be tried and hanged,” he said, “including Hitler, Goering, and Goebbels. We shall be glad when their day of punishment comes.” "Herr Karl” thinks the German civilians will behave in an orderly fashion under Allied control. “A few Nazis may attempt to assassinate officials appointed by the Allies, but we are not afraid,” he said. “Ninety per cent, of the people are happy to see you, because they are satisfied the war is over.” The Cologne police force will be unarmed and will wear bright blue and red uniforms. Every man is a non-Nazi gnd a volunteer for the task. They will release Allied military policemen now on routine duties dealing with the civilian population.