Possible Death Penalty For Jewish Shipowner

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

Possible Death Penalty For Jewish Shipowner

GERMAN CURRENCY LAWS. BERLIN, Feb. 4. Death by decapitation may be the fato of a famous Jewish shipowner if charges are proved that he flouted the German currency laws. He is Arnold Bernstein, head of the Red Star Line, the large liners of which ply between Antwerp and New York, and owner of 11 other vessels. Bernstein and two of his fellowdirectors are held in a Hamburg prison. They were arrested by the secret police. Because American interests are linked with Bernstein’s shipping activities, the United States Embassy is agitating for his reloase. The offences with which tho three tho charged were formerly punished with prison sentences only. Lately the Nazi Government took sterner measures to check the out-flow of capital by ordering the death sentence for transferring one’s money abroad without permission. The penalty can also be enforced on persons resident in Germany who refuse to bring back, when requested, any money they may have in a foreign account. Disobedience of this law is described as economic sabotage. Many heads of religious orders have already beeu given prison terms for the illegal transfer of funds, but to date no one has been executed. It is possible' that the Government might choose to make an example of Bernstein because of his nationality.