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Ernst Toller Tells How He Was Tortured by Nazis

July 31, 1933
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Gruesome details of how he was tortured in a Nazi concentration camp were given here today by Ernst Toller, German Jewish playwright and one of the most distinguished younger writers in that country until Hitler came into power. Toller, as a writer, was well known for his radical tendencies, and the Nazis clapped him into prison at their earliest opportunity.

“It was terrible and inhuman,” Toller said. “The guards forced me to swallow almost a complete volume of one of my latest novels.”

Toller gave further details. “In addition several irresponsible Nazi sadists, all of whom were youths, poured castor oil down my throat.”

He said, however, that two storm troopers treated him with consideration and helped him to secure his release.

Toller is visiting Hungary at present. His plans for the future are uncertain, he said.

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