The forecast that the Habicht note to the Austrian government presages a transition to a Nazi state whether by peaceable or by forcible means was made last night by Aldermanic President Bernard S. Deutsch, speaking over Station WMCA.
Expressing grave apprehension lest there soon be a repetition of the Nazi reign of terror in Austria, Mr. Deutsch called upon public opinion, which has had a year of warning of what Nazism means, to unite in condemning and isolating Hitlerism, if peace is to be preserved.
He called for organized and unorganized forces in American life to register its opposition to the spread of Hitlerism and to aid in creating an enlightened public opinion by supporting the presentation of “The Case of Civilization Against Hitlerism” on March 7th at Madison Square Garden, which is to present the factual record of the Hitler regime through its laws and acts.
AMERICAN LEADERS TO SPEAK
Mr. Deutsch made known that five outstanding American leaders have consented to represent the reaction of American public opinion to Hitlerism. They are Senator Millard T. Tydings, of Maryland; former Governor Alfred E. Smith; former Under-Secretary of State Raymond Moley; Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and the Rev. John Haynes Holmes. The Hon. Samuel Seabury will present the collective indictment of civilization.
Discussing the imminence of a Nazi regime in Austria, Mr. Deutsch declared that the note by Habicht, Inspector General of the German Nazis there, “reveals more than any single incident of recent weeks, how strong the Nazi forces are already in Austrian and the lengths to which the Hitler government is prepared to go.
“There are now two possibilities, he continued, “both having equally grave repercussions. If the Austrian government yields to Nazi demands, it means the peaceable acquiescence to the triumph of Nazism in Austria, the withdrawal of the ban on Nazi organization, and freedom for the Nazis to renew their propaganda and their acts of violence. If the Austrian government refuses to yield to the ultimatum, it means a forcible attempt on the part of the Nazis to seek control of the State. In either case, Austria is doomed to a repetition of the same methouds practices as marked the Nazi victory in germany.
“A year ago,” he said, “the civilized world was unprepared for what happened in Germany. A year ago, no one acquainted with the German nation’s achievements in all realms of endeavor could have belived that the reign of barbarism and medievalism which has now ensued could be possible Today the world knows what Nazism stands for. Will it remain helpless, silent, unorganized? Or will it voice its condemnation of Hitlerism and unite in the isolation of those lands which propagate it?”
GIRLS LEAGUE ADDS
The Girls Service League of America has opened its second Home Training Center, at the Greta-Theo House, Roslyn, L. I., in addition to the centr maintained at 138 East 19th street.
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