Evening star., 1942-07-01
Austria Held Worthy
Of Allied Aid
Writer Discusses Country's
Strategic Importance
In War
To the Editor Of The Star:

80 W ~
To the Editor OF The star
The recent announcement of the Ger
man DNB of a fight against anti
social elements" starting in Austria is of
very important significance. The state
ment gives definition, which opens the
way to largescale persecution of
anybody in Vienna and Lower Austria:
The anti-social -" Is any who owing
to criminal, anti-state or querulous in
clination continually enters into conflict
with the penal law, the police or other
authorities" This Exemplary practical
fight started against these individuals
in Vienna and Niederdonau." The
persons affected are being rounded up.
Committees have been appointed
in districts and regions to deal with
these anti-sncial clements Thus the
most important parts of the Nazi state
ment.
What was the reason for these purge
measures, poorly camouflaged behind
legal purposes, and why did the Nazis
start in Vienna and Lower Austria? AS
the head Of the Austrian political prop
aganda'serVice for the province Of Lower
Austria IandeSkOmmiSSar fuer Heimat-
dienst) I had plenty of opportunities
during the years preceding Hitlers seiz-
ure of Austria in March, 1888, to contact
every group of the population and to
become acquainted with the fundamental
aversion of an overwhelming majority
against anSchluss and Naziism. The
Lower Austrians are quiet and stubborn,
tough and steady. They don't jump
from one political idea to another. They
are convinced democrats. During the
parliamentarian regime Catholic farm
ers--the majority-and socialist labor
ites-the minority-sat together in the
provincial government. The farmers had
the best economical organization, a
splendid example throughout the Danu-
bian states. The trade unions of Lower
Austria were we'll known for their work.
Vienna was for centuries not only the
capital of Austria but also the seat of
the provincial government Of Lower
Austria. After the World War Vienna
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but, nevertheless, the provincial govern
ment of Lower Austria remained in
Vienna and did not choose another
town as capital. There were too many
ties between Vienna and Lower Austria
Then came Hitler. His beadles tried
to change within days what was built
in centuries. The name of Austria was
changed to "Ostmark," Lower Austria
became Lower Danube" Nazi hordes
swept the country, killing, purging. de-
stroying. But the people did not change.
They remained stiff and stubborn in a
very strong resistance.
The Nazis, therefore, made the next
step. During the crisis of Munich in
September, 1898, and afterward they
destroyed hamlets and townships under
the guise of preventing attacks from
hostile" Czechoslovakia. In fact, the
Nazis tried to crack resistance The
population was shifted, some having
already been sent to Germany. On the
other hand, war plants were built to
move the German war industry from
the Rhineland into less dangerous dis
tricts in Austria.
Then, after the destruction of Czecho-
slovakia, 1t went on. Some Moravian
districts were added to Lower Austria.
New war plants were established, fed by
the hydroelectric power from the Aus
trian Alps, the wood from the extended
forests, and ore and aluminium from
Austrian mines. Lower Austria became
and continues to be one of the most
important centers of Hitlers war indus
try. 1t is really center in Hitler
dominated Europe, half way from the
eastern and western fronts.
But Lower Austria Is center of dam
ger for Nazi Germany, too. Bordering
the so-called protectorate Of Bohemia
Moravia, of independent" Slovakia and
Hungary, it is the shelter and place of
exchange between the underground
movements. One must know this prov
ince very we'll to conceive all the possible
ways and means of underground COM
munications: Thick forests, remote
dwellings and, after all, silent
but brave people camoufaging resistance
very we'll. This was very often neglected
by foreign observers. But the Nazis
know this danger.
They broadcast the mass executions In
Czechoslovakia, in France and in the
other occupied countries, but they keep
quiet about Austria. There is shooting
too, in Austria. Burning factories ano
blasted railroad functions are vivid
proofs of the peoples resistance. But
the Nazis keep quiet about their ,execu-
tions In Austria. And they have a very
good reason because they like to claim
that the Austrians deliberately went
home into the German Reich" To ad-
nit openly the resistance of Austria
would mean to admit the failure of the
incorporation of Austria Austrian
soldiers are impressed into the German
Army. To admit the resistance of the
country would diminish furthermore the
likewise doubtful military value Of these
soldiers. And last, but not least. 1t
would stiffen the resistance of the Aus
trian people.
This is the reason why Hitler's hang
men chose another method and call it
the roundup Of anti-social elements.
The start in Lower Austria and Vienna
shows to everybody who knows this
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