Reliable sources revealed today the real reasons behind the mysterious appeal for 800,000 schillings (about $160,000) issued last week by the Vienna Jewish Community with the explanation that the money must be collected immediately if its offices, closed since Anschluss, are to be reopened.
Back of the appeal, it was asserted here, was an order to Vienna Jewish leaders to match a known 800,000 Schilling contribution to the Schuschnigg regime with an equal contribution to the Nazi Party. This order, it was stated, was accompanied by an intimation that pressure on the Jews would be eased if the required sum were raised.
Shortly after the Nazi demand had been made known to the Vienna Jewish leaders, slightly more than half the sum was privately raised. It was then decided to issue an appeal to 20,000 Jews, who each pays more than 50 schillings annually in community taxes, to contribute voluntarily half his tax to make up the total needed.
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.
