A considerable number of Jews have committed suicide in Denmark as a result of the Gestapo manhunt, it was reported here today by Danish policemen who escaped to Sweden after being disarmed by the German military authorities in Copenhagen for refusing to cooperate in rounding up the Jews. Einar Dessau, noted Jewish philanthropist, is among those who took their life by poison, they said.
Miniature mine fields are now being laid in Danish waters by the Germans in order to prevent further flight of Jews from Denmark on small fishing boats. Nevertheless, the number of Danish Jews risking their lives to reach Sweden in rowboats in the darkness of the night is growing. It was estimated today that 3,000 Jews have already reached safety here.
Swedish newspapers today reported that Hitler himself is studying the note which the Swedish Government has sent to Germany offering to receive all Jews in Denmark. The report emphasizes that the note has been submitted to Hitler by the German Foreign Office since it was Hitler who issued the order that all Danish Jews be arrested and deported.
A broadcast from Berlin today stated that “the reaction of the Swedish public towards the deportation of the Jews from Denmark leaves Germany quite unmoved.”
“Swedish humanity,” the broadcast said, “which is now up in arms on behalf of Danish Jews, did not utter a word when Sweden, by putting an end to the transit agreement, drove Germans on leave from Norway into the jaws of British submarines. Therefore, what Sweden understands by humanity is of no interest to anyone.”
SWEDEN PLANS DECENTRALIZATION OF JEWISH REFUGEES
The question of accommodations for the refugees arriving from Denmark is becoming more complicated as their number grows. The Swedish welfare authorities have, therefore, decided to move the Danish Jews away from the coastal districts. Up until now the work of aiding the refugees was centralized at Helsingborg.
The Swedish press today reports that representatives of the Jewish community in Stockholm have been sent with extensive relief funds to Malmoe, Lendskrone and Helsingborg to assist relief committees and the authorities in these places. It also stated that all the buildings at the Ramloesa health resort have been given over to the refugees as well as the Oerenaes castle which is situated north of Landskrona.
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