Hakenkreuzler Planned to Wreak Vengeance on Jews on Election Day

Secret orders addressed to 13 district commanders of Hakenkreuzler organizations calling on them to wreak vengeance on the Austrian Jews on election day. “the day of our victory”, were found Sunday following a street fight between workers and Hakenkreuzler. This report, although containing many details, including the text of the call as well as the addresses of the thirteen commanders, could not be confirmed.

The orders were marked “strictly confidential” and read in part as follows:

“Tomorrow, election day, is the day of our victory. We must wreak vengeance upon the Jews, who are responsible for all of our war and post-war sufferings. The Socialists, because of their certain defeat at the polls, will be unable to protect the Jews. Come to headquarters with a list of the Jewish houses in your district, where the troops should be held in readiness to break in. The whole action must be complete in two hours.”

The orders were signed by the Executive Committee of the “Front Kaempfer”, known also as the “Ostara”, by the Union of “Black Yellow” (Legitimists) and, thirdly by the “National Socialist Hakenkreuzler Union”.

The J.T.A. correspondent, apprised of the contents of this order, upon inquiring at police headquarters was informed that the pogrom orders had been examined and that an investigation was being conducted with a view to taking the necessary precautions.

Later in the day the police issued a statement declaring the pogrom orders to have been spurious. The 13 alleged district commanders who had been arrested earlier in the day were released because, as the police assert, they were found to be without knowledge of the circular or its contents.

Police authorities are of the opinion that the report of the existence of the circulars was an election maneuver. Circulaters of this rumor will be apprehended and punished, the police assert.