Serious differences of opinion over the treatment of the 5,000 Danish Jews have arisen between King Christian of Denmark and the Nazi occupation authorities there, according to reports reaching Danish circles here today.
The German occupation authorities have approached the King demanding that he “solve the Jewish problem” by introducing the Nuremberg Laws and other anti-Jewish regulations. The King’s reply to this demand, as reported here today was: “We have never considered ourselves inferior to the Jews, hence we have no such problem in Denmark.”
This subtle answer,” the report states, “has not deterred the Germans from trying to shove in entering wedges, such as ordering the Danish Jews to report all their financial holdings to the Ministry of Finance for later perusal by Berlin. But the King threatened to abdicate and this scheme fell through. On this issue, the King has the Danish people behind him.”
Professor Hal Koch, the leader of the powerful Danish youth movement, is reported here to have informed the German occupational authorities that although Danes will endure much for the sake of peace, they will not permit any injustice to fellow-citizens on account of race and religion.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
