Evening star., 1943-09-30

tlllplONe ELS, PEASANTS ana LIE SHldlleT
middleclass bureaucracy.
The liberals have no decided posi-
tion on the question of state form.
! In most cases they are split on
whether the Fourth Reich shall be a
united national liberal Germany
governed from Berlin or federated
Germany.
The liberal group comprises main
ly important sections Of the middle
class in cities and a great many
intellectuals.
The social democrats form q
strong group among the workers.
But the Nazis have been able to
cripple it more than other groups,
as its Jews have disappeared and
its other leaders have become iso-
lated and have lost every possibility
of participating in politics.
| Resistance of the masses to the
Nazis, therefore, is comparatively
weak.
Danger of Anarchy.
But millions of social democratic
workers did not disappear and even
now an important number of elderly
workers and petty officials can be
considered social democrats.
Communist leaders are among
those who want a total social and
economic revolution. They are
greatly aided by the fact that hun
dreds OF thousands of persons have
lost everything by air attacks or
have been driven to desperation by
the hard police regime.
AS a matter of fact there is great
danger that anarchy can break out
in Germany. The Communists have
adapted themselves to the political
forms Of the Third Reich. They
have organized and carried out in
tensive propaganda which is cam
ouf1aged as factual criticism Of the
Nazi system.
Active resistance must work under
great difficulties. The first prob
lem is how to disseminate informa-
ton on the real state of affairs and
avoid arrest by the Gestapo.
The opposition avails itself OF
every means. Propaganda of the
underground radio stations espe-
cially is important. Hundreds of
thousands of Germans live illegally.
To a certain degree they are Jews
but in most cases they are enemies
Of the regime. 1t Is almost miracle
that they can solve the food prob
lem. Black marketing is part of
the explanation. Also false identity
cards, which are rather easy to OBJ
tain.
A great part Of the resistance is
helped through sabotage In the lead
ing circles. The opposition has its
men in most Of the secret party in
stitutions. Many Nazis are trying
to buy their future existence by
serving the opposition.
Postwar Problem for Reich.
One Of the greatest questions Is
what to do with the Nazis after the
war. Thousands Of Nazi party mem
bers have pulled in their sails dur
ing 1943.
The opposition has learned how
to divide the sheep from the goats.
One oppositional leader said they
are going to put QUESTIONABLE be-
fore everyone with these words,
Were you In concentration camp7
II not why not?"
A German youth I met who.
am convinced, is an enemy OF the
Nazi system, discussed politics ma
turely and explained that the op-
position elements among the youth
are numerous. that young groups
are inclined to form circles of re-
sistance. Within Hitlers jugend
and labor services is only one weap-
on with which youths may defend
themselves-that Is to be even hard
er than their surroundings, still OBJ
serve the greatest care and resist
even though pretending to be a
NaI.
You would be surprised to learn
| that the worst Hitler enthusiasts
IN my group are leaders of the op-
position he declared.
Austrian opposition is directed at
the same time both against Naziism
and against Germany. Not all op-
positionists want to separate Aus
trla from Germany, but perhaps 90
per cent OF the opposition is against
Naziism. At the same time there
Is Austrian resentment against Ger
many and Berlin. Five years now
under German rule have revived the
concept Of Austria.
No Sharp Conflict.
Daily confronted by Germans
many Austrians now ask, Are we
the same nation as the Germans?''
The question is now answered
negatively by at least IS per cent
Of the Austrian population.
There doesn't seem to be a sharp
conflict on the form of government
among the majority Of those against
the Anschluss.
The author has met Social Demo-
Gratis who are convinced monarch
lists, and monarchism was very
strong in Austria 1t spread not
only among the upper classes but
also among the lower middle class
and among workers.
Public opinion is now more favor
able toward Archduke Otto of Haps-
burg than formerly. He has had
great success with his radio speeches
At least one strong monarchist Or
ganlzation exists. Social Democrats
and Communists represent probably
more than so per cent of the popu-
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