LETTERS FROM AUSTRIA
I. From an Englishman in Vienna
THIS letter concerns itself entirely with the events of the last week, which if terribly sad have also been very thrilling. I will try and give you an account of it all in detail. On Wednesday and Thursday the whole of Vienna was thrilled at the prospect of the Volksabstimmung (plebiscite). Schuschnigg put up a splendid fight in his speech, and everyone hoped he would get a majority of 60-70 per cent. at least. At night the streets were full of demonstrators from the two opposing parties—shouting " Heil Schuschnigg " and " Heil Hitler "—and white with election zettels which had been thrown wildly. The Karntnerstrasse was a mob of mad people shouting and demonstrating ; occasionally there was a rumscum, but needless to say the accounts in the foreign papers of " corpses lying about in the streets " were wildly exaggerated. Friday was, of course, the thrilling day, the demonstrating was more enthusiastic than ever, the whole town rang with shouts, while mounted police stood waiting, in case of shooting. Then came the report that the Nazis refused to vote (typical !). Two hours of terrifying silence, and then at 7 o'clock it was announced on the radio that Hitler had sent an ultimatum to Austria, that Schuschnigg must abdicate or the German Army would march.
This was the day I received your telegram. I wired back saying there was no need to worry, as I didn't think there ms. Actually it was the most dangerous situation imagin- able, as I learnt this afternoon from Baron X. He said that on the afternoon that I received your wire the Communists were armed and were going to fight the Nazis, and if Schuschnigg hadn't abdicated, there would have been civil war. The X family had even gone so far as to get in provisions, as they knew that they wouldn't be able to get anything the next day. Our family, of course, were terribly sad at Schuschnigg's abdication, and, being Jews, they are in rather an awkward and frightening position. Many people have been in tears for the last few days at the loss of Austria's independence.
After Friday the whole atmosphere altered entirely, the nervous excitement before the Volksabstimmung gave way to great enthusiasm for Hitler, and today (Sunday) the atmosphere of the town is that of a Jubilee or Coronation, the people are mad with enthusiasm and excitement. Here and there, of course, one catches sight of sad faces, and sees groups of Jews anxiously wondering what they are to do and how they are to escape. Hitler has sent the German Army to keep order and is coming here himself tomorrow, so there is no danger now whatsoever (from reliable sources) or any prospect of resistance. I hear, however, that there is some danger from Czechoslovakia, and I heard rumours today that they are mobilising there, but I believe that to be untrue. All English people here are debating all day whether or whether not to flee the country ; the general opinion is that there is no danger, though many joined what Mr. Y would call the " panic party " ! I heard yesterday that the only country one could flee to is Czechoslovakia, and all the other boundries are closed, but every day one hears something different, so one doesn't know what to think.
I am sure you know my opinion about everything. I think it is all awful. I am particularly sorry, as I have such an affection for Vienna and its inhabitants, and I had made up my mind always to come to Vienna for music and " never go near that other beastly country again," but now I suppose there is no difference. One thing for consolation, the people in this generation at any rate will remain the same and they do possess great culture and civilisation, such as our friends over the border sadly lack. As you know also I have heard that Hitler intends to treat Austria in a mild and friendly way, though I expect that is only an attempt to make the medicine taste nicely by putting sugar in it. And I should think it very unlikely that the " friendly policy " will last long.
The most extraordinary• thing is the way in which every- thing altered in two hours in a most dramatic way. Before Friday evening great enthusiasm for Schuschnigg and tense excitement over the election, in two hours the whole situation changed and the whole city (apparently) rejoicing on Saturday morning over the coming of National Socialism. I am longing to know what you have heard in London. The report here is that " England thinks Austria ought to decide her own fate " ! ! (How that is possible God alone knows !)
• II. From a Viennese
I predicted this three weeks ago. The Federal Chancellor, Seyss-Inquart, is speaking and the applause echoes through the radio like the howling of wild beasts. His address is short. Now comes the Ffihrer with his horrible rasping voice. I can stand it no longer. May I never hear this screeching again. I would rather die.
The perpetual noise of the aeroplanes overhead reminds us of theatres of war. The noise drives one mad, and it cannot be escaped even by flight into the flats. Everywhere, everywhere, in every direction it is heard. How can it be borne ? Why has the whole world forsaken us ? What has happened to the great kingdom of Britain ? Why will it not act ? Will it look on while the whole world is thus con- quered ? It is now the turn of the neighbouring States. It will not be long now ! They live in terror beyond measure.
Oh, how we long for real warfare—we true Christians who stand aside from the governing clique—little as this may seem a Christian wish. Everything must be destroyed. We must all perish, but that is bliss compared to the martyrdom of uncertainty as to when the end will come. This long- drawn-out death is hideous, inconceivable.
Today is the third holiday. All stores are dosed. I will not enter into details, for you surely learn everything from the newspapers. Only this I will mention. In every district of Vienna businesses were plundered.. Not that the goods are destroyed. Far from it ! Armed men with Swastika armlets drove up in great lorries at night and forced their way into the back entrances of shops and warehouses and emptied them completely. The entrances are guarded by armed men. The mob pressed forward, so to see. The whole affair was then organised. The crowd was ordered into queues so that each person might look for two seconds into the back of the premises through the peep-hole made in the shutters, to satisfy his perverted appetite. The mob roared its joy that the Jews had now been stripped of everything. Are not Jews flesh of our flesh, and blood of our blood !
Are these invented tales of horror ? No indeed, nor were the earlier ones [of Germany] invented. Naturally all the other [German anti-Jewish] laws are now in force .here.
I beg you most earnestly to pass on this letter to those in authority. I put my trust in Christ and in Almighty God who will not desert us. I cannot believe that He will for ever allow so much injustice, so much suffering, so much misery, so much despair. I cannot and I will not believe it. Help us, you English. Show us that there are still people in the world who will not live at peace with beasts of prey. I weep the whole day, I weep and find no comfort. Yesterday I fasted all day as a sign of my grief. I would gladly fast for weeks, and fast until I die if I could thereby help to build another world. I can write no more.
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