Correspondence regarding the boycott of the Jewish firm Webag
Source: Yad Vashem Archive JM 10625, p. 107-123
letter by Webag company 29 July 1935
Re: Boycott of A. Goldstein, the Eisleben branch of Webag Since July 8, A. Goldstein, representative of our Eisleben branch, is being boycotted in the following manner: On the night of 7-8 July 1935 banners were hung across the street near our store with the writing: Buying from the Jews is treason' and those who buy from Jews should be put on the pillory'. In the night of 10-11 July 1935 several unknown men broke five window panes... At the beginning of last week, the week of 15-16 July, people started to stand in front of stores, some in uniform and some in civilian clothing. The vigils were ordered to warn people not to enter our store. This activity has intensified in the past few days. The people are prevented from entering our shop, in some cases with the use of violence. Customers leaving the store are attacked by the men outside, they are insulted, called slaves of the Jews', traitors, etc. The result is that in the past few days, significant crowds assemble around our store, but only few clients dare enter.... The economic consequences are very obvious when one compares our turnover for the week of 22-27 July 1934 to this year's turnover. The turnover for the equivalent week in 1934 was 14,000 RM. This year it has shrunk to 8,800. This is a decline of 40%. We employ 124 people in Eisleben. Four of them are Jews and all the others are Aryans. 117 of our employees are members of the German Labour Front; many of them belong to other party organisations (Hitler Youth, SA). In reference to the many discussions with the Ministries of Interior and Economy, we wish to point out that the boycotts are illegal and in contravention of the instructions of these ministries... We ask you to act swiftly to stop this activity.
Webag.
Report of Dr. Richter prepared by the state government in Magdeburg:
I have spoken to Mr. Friedlander of Webag on 29 July 1935 and heard his complaints about signs near the Goldstein store in Eisleben proclaiming that buying from Jews is treason'. In addition, unknown people have broken two of the company's window panes, and a photographer was positioned to take pictures of people entering and leaving the store. Mr. Friedlander has asked that the boycott against Jewish shops be brought to a halt, referring to the orders of the Reich Ministries of Interior and Economy. My reply was that I would naturally act to prevent terror activities against Jewish shops, but that there was nothing I could do against legal activity by the Party. Mr. Friedlander would have to address the Party in this regard. Mr. Friedlander also applied to the Police chief of Halle, but the latter refused to see him. Mr. Friedlander's demands that the boycott be stopped as instructed by the Ministries of Interior and Economy seem doubtful to me. Mr. Friedlander could not tell the police or me what department of the Ministry of Economy had empowered him to convey these instructions. I have already told the mayor of Eisleben to prohibit any terror activities against Jewish stores such as the one, which took place on 10-11 July 1935... In a lengthy conversation held on 30 July 1935, the Gauleiter told me that he is doing everything in his power to prevent actions of individual initiative. I naturally cannot do what Mr. Friedlander wants ΓÇô to stop all anti-Semitic activity in Germany. We cannot consent to Webag's demand and remove the banners. I have agreed with the Gauleiter , however, that no more signs will be put up naming specific stores...
Reply of the NSDAP
18 December 1935 My reply to the complaint made by the Jew Goldstein is the following: The local party office continually acts to enlighten and educate the population by means of placing the current Stuermer edition in the showcase at the party building. There are other articles explaining the Jewish danger. All this is being done to inform the public.... I reject the accusation that this is a [forbidden] act of individual initiative....
