into the clutches of the gendarmes, who would finish them off on the way. Regarding the remaining refugees – those from Vilna and Słonim – the kehilla informed the Germans that they had strong connections with Białystok – either through family ties or for material reasons. How the German authorities reacted to the letters is for the time being not known to this person. In general, the kehilla believes it will be able to bribe away all the oppressive decrees threatening the Jews of Białystok. The fact that the Jews in Białystok are almost all productive and work in all branches of industry for the Germans also helps the kehilla in its efforts to protect the Jewish population from persecutions. And such oppressive decrees are being proposed all the time. For example, Engineer Barasz was approached by someone from Gestapo circles about establishing two separate ghettos: one for working Jews and the other for those without work. The implications were quite clear, bearing in mind the similar ghetto story in Vilna. Or, for example, the Gestapo proposed to the Judenrat the creation of barracks outside the city for small children and old people. The intention was to liquidate the old age home and the two orphanages which the Judenrat is maintaining to the present day. All these proposals were rejected by the Judenrat. In general, the Judenrat believes that in Białystok things will be different than in other places, precisely for the above-mentioned reasons. The attitude of the German authorities towards the Jews is positive. Recently the Germans also invited Engineer Barasz to a general meeting. After the meeting – about production issues – [3] one of the German participants gave Barasz a brotherly clap on the shoulder and said: “You330 have saved the Białystok ghetto”. Recently, outside the ghetto, an exhibition was held of items made by the Jews in the ghetto. The exhibition presented the most beautiful and tastefully crafted articles, as for example clothes. It was also attended by many Germans, journalists, and con-noisseurs, who expressed the greatest recognition of the Jewish handiwork.
The attitude of the Polish population towards the Jews is hostile. Theybelieve the Jews should all be slaughtered because through their work they are helping the greatest enemy – the Germans. And so it is: the Jews work simply with enthusiasm (Brigadieren)331 and make clothing and military articles;
