New steps to put the Sudeten German Party on the same organization basis as the Reich Nazi party were marked out in by-laws reorganizing and giving semi-military character to the extreme autonomist group. They were published in the official Sudeten weekly organ, Rundschau.
Isolated at the party’s summit as Sudeten “Fuehrer” stands Konrad Henlein, with his “chancellery” (political staff), his deputy, Hermann Franck, and his adjutants following. The party is divided into 23 sections, including its supreme tribunal, all henceforth under the orders of the general staff of the central council.
Below the supreme directing group is the “Kreisleiter,” with 13 sections under his orders. Below him stands the “Bezirksleiter,” with 12 sections under his orders. At the next stage down stands the “Ortsleiter,” with 10 sections. Local leaders commanding “Sprengel” — districts– are divided into “Kameradschaften,” which in turn are divided into “Nachlarschaften.”
Among the new party by-laws is one banning membership in any secret societies or organizations which are banned by the Reich Nazis. These include Rotary clubs, many of which voluntarily dissolved in Sudeten towns after they fell into Nazi disfavor, including those at Usti and Liberec. The Teplice-Sanov, Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) and Marienbad clubs were expected to follow suit.
Strict enforcement of Nazi anti-Semitism was also on the new Sudeten program.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
