MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON COMMUNISTS IN AUSTRIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 5, 1999
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: February 1, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

CLASSIFICMION
aiiiifterma
*
Approved For RomE Hit
25X1A2g
4144(46444010ARI9NIN4164241414'
COUNTRY Austria
SUBJECT Miscellaneous Information on Gomm:nista in
Austria
25X1A6a
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF INF
25X1 X6
CD NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAG
NO. OF ENC
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMEN
REPORT NO.
15X1 X6
This report is a collection of miscellaneous information on the Austrian
Communist Party (KPOe)pwhich has been obtained from various sources. Items -
are grouped under general headinps; and each item is separately dated,
Prspaenda endjleqipn Plans
211flemwm19i_
At an informal meeting of KPOe minor functionaries on 23 February 1949; SOEL;
section chief of Section III at KPOe District Headquarters;Vienna II; stated
that Friedl rUERMERG; KPOe General Secretary; told a meeting of section and
district heads on 21 February 1949 that the KPOe could not expect more than
six seats in the Austrian Parliament as a result of the next elections
FUERNBERO allegedly advised his aqdience not to be overlywinguine with respect
to KPOe election prospects.
STATE
NAVY
0111111601~'"m?
cukssincimoN
NSRB DISTRIBUTION
AhlviT
MR 1.781
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-0
Document No.
NO CHARGE in Class.
aDECLASSIFIED
Class. CHAN
0: TS
Memo,n1n/V4 77
07 000.119?Yry3
tat I 5 MAY 197
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
25X1X6
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY'
25X1X6
2, On 24 January 1949, Franz HONNER of the Central Committee was overheard
to remark to Franz MAREK0 also of the Central Committee, that election
efforts on the part of all Austrian political parties except the KPOe
would be unavailing, since the Communistsewill be in power in Austria
beflesxM elections will have been held,'
Febrae1.1242
3.. At a meeting of youth leaders of the KPOe on 23 February 1949, VOKROJ,
representative of the Communist-dominated Freie Oesterreichische Jugend
(F0eJ) in the Presidium of the Trade Union Youth, outlined election
plans of the KPOe as follows: 4*
a. Only a political coup can bring about a chanee in the Austrian
political scene advantapeous to the KPOe. The KPOe will operate
more effectively after the departure of the Western Allies.
b. Sin ee the KPOe cannot be sure of complete and sincere cooperation
on the part of Bruin SCHARF and his left wing Socialists, there
will be no union between SCHARF's party and the KPOe,
25XE.
c. KPOe election propaganda will be concentrated on Lower Austria and
Burgenland; the KPOe has little chance of increasing its vote in
the non-Soviet zones or in Vienna.
KPOe Policy
25X1X6
8Februaree:1249
As a result of the sharp criticism which has been directed against the
KPOe at almost all recent Cominform meetings, source considers that a
re-organization of top KPOe leadership in the near future is to be ex-
pected, He cites a recent statemena of SCHFIDT3AM1, KPOe district
leader of Vienna II, who claimed that the Cominform has charged the
KPOe with intolerable passivity and accused it of degenerating into a
"bourgeois earty". lark
25X1X6
5. there are currently tea rival factions within the
Central Committee of the KPOe. One faction, led by Franz HOMER, ad-
voeates the attainment of a Communist state in Austria by revolution,
A more moderate group, lead by Ernst FISCHER, is striving to achieve
the same end without resort to viol,ence. Up to the present, source
claims, FISCHER's policy has been pursued, but its lack of results has
made many Communists incline toward the policy of HONNER. Such/important
members of the Central Committee as Viktor ELSER, Laurenz GENAAR, and Friedl
FUERNBERG support HONNERos attitude, although FUERNBaeG, as Party Sec-
retary, has been careful to avoid creating dissension within the Party,
KOPLENIG, Chairman of the Central Committee, is only a figurehead,, ac-
cording to source, eeee
Militant Action
25X1X6
11111111=12 Ja119122M
6. A so-called Fighting Aseociation against Warmonpers (Kampfbund eegen die
Krieeshetzer) was set up in the course of a meeting hold on 30 January
1949 at KPOe District Headquarters for Vienna XXI, am Spitz 16, The
meetine was attended by representatives of FOeJ, veterans of the Spanish
Civil War, and representatives of various Communist front organizations,
The head of the organization will allegedly be Soviet Col. Ivan CHERKOV;
HONNFR and FUERN3ERG are said to be members in name only, The newly
-
established organization has the general mission of "furthering the
realization of Communism in Austria by all available means and removeng
, m (0 Lhe 1. CDmr[Lnyi " In ff(AC,d,'", the ,?.rani7.)tion,
Approve ror elease 119 9/09/ ,:.,cM-RDP0,2-004571300270005(100417
s u.o. ta44v.umw
25X1
?
.07.1
Approved For Releas /24 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
25X1 X6
CENTRAL INTMLIGETICE AGMICY
? 3 ?
a, Identification of all Austrians and all persons not nationals of
the occupying powers who are employed by, or work withian Allied
Power.
Identification of anti-Communists.
c, Establishment of arms caches,
Identification of residences of the Western Allies,
e. Identification of military unite of the 7:estern Allies, with related
intelligence and 0/3 material,
Execution of armed security measures and sabotage tasks, *
Cooperation with the Soviets in intelligence objectives and in kid-
nappings. Intelligence activities will be directed by one Nikolaus
KRAUSE from. the Vienna Komelndatura at the Het-el 3ellaria,
3ourceilL10,anuany,1949
7, On 30 January 1949, a meeting took place at KPOe geadquarters, Vienna XXI,
at which FUERNBERC, HONNER, and other prominent Austrian Communists are
alleged to have met with representatives of the Communise-dominated
League of Concentration Camp Victims (KZ-Verband) and with Austrian Com
munists of Czechoslovak and 7Uposlav backgreund, Discussion centered
about the compilation of a list of anti-Communist Austrians and the
recruitment of clean-up swede (Raeumungekommandos); the latter would
have the assignment of liquidating traitors to the Party and anti-
Communist intelligence agents,
Trade Union Actinrity
SourceillE late FebruAry 1949
8 The Central Committee is prestly interested in increasing KPOe inflnence
among workers in VoicrIberg. Cells are being organized among employees
of the spinning and weaving mills and some success has been attained,
particularly anong female enployees of these plants. The KPOe propa-
25X1 X6 ganda line consists of agitetion for increased wages and bonuses, ***
25X1 X6 c.urceJate January 1949
9, Communist activity in Vienna trade unions, all strongly dominated by '
the Socialists, has achieved little success, There As a Communist cell
within the Section of Private Employees in Vienna V; one man, a certain
Josef &nun, is active on behalf of the Communists in the loo('-workers
;Iection of Vienna XVI. Ilfiltration of the trade union youth organiza-
tion (Gewerkschaftejugend) has failed, now that BURGHART and Walter HEIL,
active Communists who were being used principally for this purpose, have
both discontinued their efforts; 31F'D,HART has withdrawn from all politi-
cal activity, and Walter HEIL has joined the Socialist youth program
after publically retracting his former Communist views in Trotzdem, the
organ of the Socialist youth movement. ****
9ommunist_Youtt; Ornganizatinnst
25X1 X6
SourAIL 9 December 1948
10, A meeting of officials of Kinderland, Communist front orranization for
young children, took place on 9 December 1949, in the Haus der Jugend,
Vienna XV, Felberstrasse 42-6, Dr, Gustav JELI%K0, need of the orpaniza-
tion, addressed the meeting and demanded increased Communist activity to
he sponsored by Kinderland. *****
25X1 X6
source'. 27 January 1949
7r0./.1 headquarter '..)? the threm! front,CrInvoli75t-OrvAniZlt 0.1R,
F(haj
9/09/24:?
CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
v.o. (mum NIA.
Approved For Relea
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: IA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
00YROL u.a.
CEDTRAL I1TTELTIG7.NCE AGENCY
-4-.
25X1X6
25X1X6
Source?21Itebruay2111.0
been moved to Vienna IV, Prinz Eugenstrasse 12. At this address,
the city headquarters of FOeJ has four rooms and Kinderland has two
rooms r,*
b, Georg SCIMARZ was appointed FOeJ provincial leader for Lower Austria;
Fritz WEISSENUCK continues as Vienna chairman of the FOeJ. Paul
FRISCHAUER, formerly first secretary of FOeJ and assistant leader of
Vienna FOeJ, has apparently discontinued his activities, though further
details are not available, Other personnel in Vienna FOeJ are Fritz
VOSOL, secretary; Otto ASCHER, in charge of administration d social
Jr
activities; Gisi ISER, former distriot leader of Vienna Vi 7t, Herbert
STEM? remains federal secretary of FOeJ; Otto MICHACr /mere?
ber of the Central Committee and national head of F0eJ3 has been lesa
active in the organization. ASCHER has recently stated that FOeJ is
in a precarious financial situation and would be unable to hold to-
gether, should the Soviets withdraw their support.**
12. a. The situation of FOeJ has been steadily worsening except in Lower
Austria. The new FOeJ provincial leader for Lower Austria, Georg
SCEARZ, has, however, not only checked the decline of FOeJ but even
Improved its status. His success is to be attributed in part to So-
viet support in providing vehicles by which menbers can be brought to
the meetinrs. The Lower Austrian office of FOeJ has in fact one auto-
mobile and tmo motorcycles on permanent assignment and can supplement
tJals transportation with Soviet trucks after clearing an application
through the KPOe Central Committee.
b, The present
(a "group",
Vienna I
Vienna II
Vienna III
Vienna IV
Vienna V
Vienna VI
Vienna VII
Vienna VIII
Vienna IX
Vienna X
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
strength of FOeJ in Vienna is approximately as follows
in the discession below, includes 15 to 40 members):
Vienna XXII
None
None, since all FOeJ groups were disbanded; still
three groups of junge Garde.
One weak group; most of the former FOeJ members
have joined Uarxistische Jupend units which are
seekine to attract left wing Socialists.***
One group
One group
None
None
One group allegedly 'ominated by left wing Socialists
One weak group
About 100 membersttre the organization is disinteerat-
ing.
About 100 members; strong, well-organized and steady,
One strong group
One weak group
Two groups combined; still very meek.
Two strong groups
One veak group
None
None
About 50 member%(In .7eptember 194P there were 150.)
About 200 members(This is one half as many as in
September 194E.)
About 400 membersAlDneahalf of the membership of
September 194e,)
e. In the factories, FOeJ is stronr only at Osram, Globus Verlag (where
membership in FOeJ is compelsory for apprentif es), Glanzstoff-Fabrik,
and Rax Werk.
Approved For Relea
?
0050004-7
Approved For Release 199 9/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGKIC4 AGUICY 25Ei
- 5 -
25X1X6
25X1X6
25X1X6
25X1X6
25X1X6
(L, Total estimated membership in Vienna is about 1,000 to
1,500 for POW and 500 to 1,000 for Junge Garde These
figures may be compared with an estimated 400 to 300 mem-
bers of the OeVP youth movement and an estimated 3,500 for
the Socialist youth movement, including the Falket
S?1-77c111- q9111_2?9MU-1111.2
13. Early in ebruary 1949, FOeJ officials Otto BRICOGEK, Paul
FRISCI t, and a third unspecified man were present at a meet-
ing in Germany which was attended by Communist youth leaders
from ot'rei European countries including Italy, France, and
Belgium. No details of the meeting are known to source; similar
tries on the part of FOeJ officials, particularly to the satellite
countries, are very frequent. Since no real attempt is made to
keep such trips secret, source interpretsMISCHAUER's coming trip
to Moscow and NEISSEN3ECK's projected trip to the CSR to arrange
for Austrian participation in a Czechoslovak labor brigade as in-
dications that the FOeJ does not plan to participate in any strikes
or disturbances during April 1949 (when the Soviets will be in con-
trol of the International District of Vienna). During the absence
of FRISCHAUER and VEISSELJEGK, the Vienna secretary, VOSOL will
take over most of the running of FOeJ. *
Tenants Association and KPOe
29Brsalt late February 1949.
14. The KPOe District Headquarters of Vienna II was successful by
means of a shrewd ruse in electing its candidates as officers
in the Tenants' Association (Mietervereinigunp). A few days
before the election was to take place, Communist members of the
Tenants' Association called on non-Communist members and col-
lected membership cards belonging to the latter, asserting that
the membership cards were required at the nentral offices of the
Tenants' Association for recording purposes About 200 cards
were collected in this manner and distributed to reliable Com-
munists, These Communists, with their illerally-acquired menber-
ship cards in the Tenants' Association, managed to pack an election
meeting of the Association by arriving several hours before the
election was to be held. The Police Chief of Vienna II,** a Com-
munist, then refused 0 admit anyone elee because of police in-
junctions against overcroeding. The result was the election by
a vote of 300 to 87 of Communist Gemeinderat SCIMEDER to head the
Ten- '-' Aseociation of Vienna II,***
KPOe Elst uqh,
Source 111- 1 February 1949
15 ,A determined effort is being made by USIA to increase control over
workers in the USIA plants by intensifying Communist activities at
such plants and by exerting pressure to force workers into joining
the Communist cells. These measures may be due at least in part
to the acute displeasure caused recently at USIA Headquarters by
unexpected revelation in the hostile press of the USIA pact with
3ulgaria; this disclosure is thought by USIA officials to have
originated in USIA-controlled factories, specifically those in the
field of heavy industry and precision machinery, and is officially
attributed to espionage. USIA has taken steps against suspected
espionage activity, eseecially thr?rh increased surveillance of
administrative officials, and the KPOe has been requested to assist
in this policy. Heinrich FRITZ Centre]. Committee member, is in
charge of extending Communist c Ils in USIA plants; he has stated
that Communist cells now include about 60% of the total employees.****
,.8.
Approved For Re e 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-0045/R002700050004-7
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
25X1X6
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
- 6 -
I1A2i
KPOe and Erwin SCHARF
_Sou.J.29.4=_Jar.mar191.49.
16, The first conclusive example which source has noted of cooperation
between the KPOe and Erwin SCHARF's left winp Socialist party, the
Prorressive Socialists' Association, was the KPOe distribution to
a few trusted Communist officials of a pamphlet written by SCHARF
on the subject of the Tenante' Association. The official-3 were
instructed to supervise further distribution of the pamphlet but
without revealinr its origin.*
25X1X6
s 0 yLva? at IA u a r 194t-
25X1X6?
17, SCHARF has launched a virorous attack against the policy of in-
dustrial collaboration between labor and manapement,which was
recently advocated by Johann BOEHM, Socialist Vice-President of
Parliament and President of the Austrian Trade Union Association.**
Johann HEINRICH, an editor of the Volksstimme, has allegedly stated
that SCHARF will advocate revision of the proposed date of the
next Austrian elections from Uee fall to the spring of 1949.
HEINRICH further claimed that other Socialist Party functionaries,
even possibly including rinister of the Interior HELrERIpmight be
expected to join SCHARF in opposition to the official Socialist
stand, ***
25X1X6
25X1X6
Sou.sc41.91.4bruai
18, a. Viktor POSPISCHIL, one of SCHARF's main supporters who is
often seen with him at public gatherines, has been a menber
of the KPOe for some time, accordinp to Johann HEINRICH, a
Volksstimme editoru****
b. Toni BYE, a member of the SCHARF group, recently stated that
SCHARF's activities are attrac ing many new adherents to his
cause. One of the latest con erts is said to be the Austrian
educator, Josef Luitpold ST7 Y. The latter is allegedly a
close friend of Ernst FISCHER; both FISCM and rATEJKA have
influenced STERN os political thinking.*****
3AYER further stated that SCHARF's group would not, at present,
identify itself with the Communists since the real function
of the group is to win over as many Socialists as possible as
sympathizers with SCHARFqs doctrines. If the SCHARF supporters
can be persuaded to deliver a vote for the Communists, this
could be reparded as a protest measure against present Socialist
policy. ******
KPOe and Other Communist Parties
*2.9.YEA1117_29,_Janu417.159
lee/ Giuseppe FERRO of the Italian Consulate in Innsbruck is a known
member of the Partito Communista Italian?. It may be through his
mediation that Austrian Communists seem to exrerience relatively
less difficulty in obtainine visas to Italy than other Austrians.,**x*****
25X1X6 Sm112211L21 Januery_19la
20. One DI VITTORIO, Italian labor leader, arrived in Vienna on
21 January 1949 for a ten-day visit to discuss labor matters elth
KPOe leaders.
Approved For Release 19 24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
s 61)L.JA. ..w. taxxAU./..a4.0 UWAI
Approved For Release /24 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
25XEi
CENTRAL INTTILIGENCE AGENCY
- 7 -
KPOe Educational Activities
25X1 X6 souEss1117 24 Jarsary 1949
21. Since the KPOe has frequently been criticized for the weakness of its
party educational system, an attempt has been made to correct this
weakness through institution of the Alfred Klahr Vienna Seminar at
Vienna XVIII, nartinstraese 92; some lectures will also be given at
Vienna II, Laufenburggasue. A library will be maintained at the first
location. Lectures will be given every Friday on political themes and
25X1 X6 Marxist interppetation of art and science. *
25X1 X6 SourstMa ' February 1949
22. As part of a policy of decentralizing Party educational activities,
political lectures it Vienna factory organizations and sections will
be carried out by KPee District Headquarters which alone will have
the responsibility ner supervising appointment of lecturers and de-
livery of lectureseh*
25X1 X6
25X1 X6
25X1 X6
25X1 X6
23, Dr, Franz MITT of Klagenfurt, one KLAUDUS of Obernullendorf bei
Mattersburg, Burgeeland, and a third man, name unknown to source,
had a confidential. conference during the course of a meeting of the
Oesterreichisch-lessische Gesellschaft, Vienna I, Johannesgasse 260
on 30 January 19L9. Dr. ZWITTER was present in his official cameiey
as representatile of the Slovene Liberation Front (OF). KLAUDUS is
a Communist whe was officially representing the Croatian minority of
Burgenland, IfeAUDUS had been planning to organize a book exhibit in
Mattersburg aid Eisenstadt to take place in February 1949 with the
purpose of lisplaying the prcrress of Yugoslav literature. He ac-
cordingly erdered a number of books from Bele-rade and presented his
list for approval to the Soviet commander in Eisenstadt. The latter
immediate'y cancelled the proposed list and replaced the titles with
others to be procured from Moscow, declaring that "Tito literature"
was forbi5den. The third unknown man who took part in the conference
at the Aurtro-Russian Society is possibly a representative of Czecho-
slovak ninority groups in Austria. The three men are allegedly
planning l.a form a Section for Mnority Groups within the society.
One of the first acts which ZrITTER will carry out on behalf of this
section is to form branches of the society in Voelkermarkt, Eisenkappel,
and Bleibur, all three in Carinthia.***
pource Ftttieuay
24, Josef TSUOMIG, member of the Central Committee, arrived in Vienna
from Carrithia in late January or early February 1949. He was ac-
companied by Johann TUERK, Josef KOMPEIN, and a certain =MEP- All
four inee are to attend a special Party course designed to last about
a montt. Source has previously reported in late January 1949 that
TSCHOYZNIG was expected to arrive in Vienna for special training but
indieeited at that time that he was to be accompanied by Josef NISCHZ.,-;ITZER
and Johann KALT, both from Ke0e Provincial Headquarters in Klagenfurt.
A th.rd report from the same sourceadated 24 February 1949aindicated that
bott TSCH017,NIG and Johann KAZIANKA, the latter formerly a member of the
Uprer Austrian Landtag, were recalled For training eo Vienna; in VSCHOFENIGIs
atmence, Hermann LXJ.GeraN of the Central Committee will function as head
or the KPOe provincial organization in Carinthia.. Source further reports
that TSCHOFENIG's absence from Klagenfurt will coincide with the draw-
ing up of electoral lists for the next Upper Austrian Landtag; source
'Aplies that the KPOe intends in this way to prevent TSCHOFMIG from pre-
Ienting himself as a candidate for the Landtag**
Commenist Press
eoure 17_29 Januart_212,42
25 Financial difficulties continue unabated at Globus Verlag and there
Appr8Vga roTRIgfai9e9/M-4"F dPALICIM20o4DIROfftlitibUtio4-4"J'rieT:12
25X1X6
25X1X6
25X1X6
Approved For Release 1999/ 9 24 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
- 8 -
Wochenschau, printed on a commission basis until recently by Globus,
has gone bankrupt; the parer still owes Globus 15,000 to 20,000
schillings for services rendered. A further continuous deficit is
sustained through publication of the Party magazine, ":1E_NTAZiell
published under supervision of the KPOe Central Committee; this
magazine retails for 1.50 schillings per copy, of mhich ,32 schillings
per copy revert to Globus.*
SouradlIFJUs221Laaje211.9
26
The number of Globus employees has dropped from a post-mar high of
1,200 to 850 at present; further reductions in personnel are expected
at the end of Earch 1949. An arrangement has been made by USIA with
Globus whereby USIA will supply Globus with some of its necessery
printing supplies in exchange for cancellation of outstanding USIA
debts to Globus. Globus will also benefit, along with other unspecified
KPOe publishing firms, through the printing of booklets on political
subjects for eastern Germany; the total contract amounts allegedly to
190,000 schillings Globus will receive in exchange for the booklets
an equivalent amount of scientific publications and 1221122:1111xv
from the ReklameUniversum publishing house in Leipzig**
Sousapille Februaa 1949
27 a, The following table shows the circulation of certain Communist
publications for the month of February 1949:
Volksstimme
weekly edition
Sunday edition
62,000 (420000 subscribers)
100,000 (70,000 subscribers)
Der?.Abend 20,000
Die Wo che over 80,000 (formerly, 1600000)
P19-1-4e/191.Pgel .00000
Nach der Arbeit 34,000 (70,000 to 75,000 in 1948)
_ _ _ - - ? - -
42..end VeTan (F0eJ) 8:000
Der Mahnruf (Concentration Camp 10,000
Victims)
Der Neue aE (for Jews) 61,000.
LactogAk ar101?/1W, 45,000
Party newspapers such as
'Der Wiener Vertrauensmann 6,000
_ -e-e- ?
Der Eisenbahner 12,000
-??...7?Mri!n.
atjAirliEB (new publication,
selling for ?20 schillinps) 4,000
1)er 4wear410... Figures not known
Freies Burffelland 8,500 (formerly 10,000)
b, In general, Communist nublications are suleiect to the same financial
difficulties as other Austrian newspapers, Der NeafLac0 mentioned
in the preceding paragraph as an organ for Je-s belonging to the
KPOe, has seeeral times been on the brink of collapse Die Wespe,
not cited above, which replaced ar_1121 after the latter publication
had been confiscated for obscenity, is also in financial straite
and will probably go under. Der Abend has done fairly well, chiefly
because of its excellent sports enction which is directed by Fritz
.an internat football elever. Nat served in the British
Approved For Relea /09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
wys
25X1X6
25X1X6
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
411
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
- 9 -
2 5X'ai
Army and is probably the only non-Communist editor to be found
with any Communist newspaper in Austria. He has even gone so
far as to criticize the recent Czechoslovak sports regulations,
c, The Communist press has been printing large orders of novels in
newspaper form, especially Eetro olroman and Nelles Abenteuer, The
former was printed in/glition of 60,000 for Austria and 2000000
for the eastern one of Germany.
d. Large orders have also been carried out for Hunrary. Recent-
ly', a Hunrarian Communist Party calendar was printed in two colors;
some 250,000 copies had been ordered and were transroeted across the
frontier by Soviet trucks. Close collaboration with Hungary is
demonstrated by publication of a Hungarian edition or the Vienna
Soviet-sponsored 1:;e1p411ustrierte which is also conveyed to Hungary
by Soviet trucks, Large orders from Yugoslavia have been cancelled
or left unfilled. Great hores of extensive business with the stern
zone of Germany have allegedly been hampered by the Austrian
Government, *
Sourceill[lateJarrz- early February 1949
28. a, A campaign to sell 30,000 copies of the Carinthian Communist daily,
Volkswilleiwas carried out with success on 13 February 1949.
Carinthian provincial functionaries of the KPOe took personal charge
of the campaign since the ordinary members displayed little interest
in pushing the newsraper, A similar effort will be made by the
KPOe in the future to orpanize a sales campaipn for the Valkswille
one Sunday per month.
b? The personnel director of the Communist printing house in Klagenfurt,
Kaerntner Volksverlag, Leopold HLAWATSCH, was recalled to Vienna on
20 January 1949; his replacement was one WASSER, a Viennese of Jewish,
extraction, A new manager (Betriebsleiter) for the firm, a certain
SINKGRUBER, formerly eith Globus Verlag, will shortly be sent from
Vienna?**
29, a. Since KPOe Provincial Headquarters in Klaronfurt had to meet heavy
expenses in connection with its Party school at the Pension Lex,
Dellach, the Kaerntner Volksverlag found itself with insufficient
funds to pay a bill amounting to 100000 8ch111ings0 To cover the
difference in available funds and amount due, the veteran Communist,
Franz HAUNIKgnade a contribution of 85,000 schillings, RAUNIK, a
baker, born on 4 October 1885 in Leiflinr, Austrian national9residirp
in Klagenfurt at Voelkermarkterstrasse 70, is a member of the advisory
board of the new Association of Concentration Camp Victims (KZ-Verband),
and a member of the Democratic Economic Union (Demokratischer Wirt-
schaftsverband),***
Four-fifths of the Kaerntner Volksverlag are now owned by Globus Verlag;
the remaining one-fifth ia owned by KPOe Provincial Headvarters in
Klagenfurt. All oclaries are paid by Globus Verlag.
b ?
c. One KOEPPL of Globus Verlag, no further details known, is reported
to have carried out an inspection of the Kaerntner Volksverlar.
The Carintlian daily, Volkswille, alleredly has a circulation of
7,000 to 8,000; its best former circulation was about 15,000.
KPOe and OF (See also paragraph 21 above.)
SoenAlL7 12 Fe?brearz
30, A meeting between leaders of the KPOe Provincial Headquarters in Klagen-
furt and OF leaders took place on 12 February 19490 The meeting represented
an attempt to reconcile differences between the OF and the KPOe Dis-
cussion was continued on 17-18 February but no solution was reached.
The KPOe is particularly anxious to retain its OF support in the coming
Austrian elections, The OF officials allegedly declared that they had to
Arti*Ofed PITA ftlekisect1984t/G9.124 r44AIREDES240457R002700050004-7
25X1X6
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
?10?
25XEi
Business Activities of thetKpOt
Febru.4.17J94.2
31n Paul URBAN, part owner of the Wiener Aussenhantielsgesellschaft Urban
& Co. C.m.h,H" Vienna I, Fuehrichgasse 6, recently told soUrce that
the KPOe had a half interest in his business. URBAN is said to be
about 38 years old; he was born in Sarajevo,Jugoslavia, but has
lived most of his life in Austria and is now An Austrian'citizen.
Source feels that URBAN joined the KPOe solely for business reasons.
His firm deals mostly in import of food products.. URBAN also told
source that the KPOe had a 75 percent interest in the firm of Samuel
INSLICHT.*
25X1X6 Travel of KPOe Personalities
.. . ....... .....
25X1X6 Source". 27 January 1949
1111IF
1?? On the basis of a conversation overheard by source, Heinrich DUEVATEll
and MAREK were due to leave for 15escouron 10 February 1949, allegedly
to receive instructions as to thejTopaganda to be developed by the
KPOe, inii-
25X1X6
Communist Personalities
Source NJanuae 1949
33, Herbert FRIFSEN3ICHLER, residing in Vienna VIll, Pfeilgasse 42e/111
25 years old, works for the information office (Ineormations-buero;
of the Central Comnittee. He is living with an umidentified forty-
year-old Jewess, said to be a Soviet agent.***
A certain Frau PAWLIN is the secretary of Walter FISCHER, brotherof
Ernst FISCgEH, at KPO e District Headquarters, Vienna
Heine !1ACHACEK, until recently a leading official (Organisaticr-
sleiter) for Kinderland, has allegedly turned over his duties to
BTCHARDI? hitheree inspector and consultant for liedagogye
MACHACEK will turn his attention to the Kinderland office in ti-e
Central Committee Bui1dings*44-"*
d, Hanna B1G17i, Austrian dancer and director of a Communist childrens
theater, together with Harry SPIEGEL, KFOe member, are to be
summoned to appear before a Communist Party Court to answer for an
alleeed theft of 500 schillings from Party funds,****
e. Ernst FRIEDRICH and Alice LED ERER are both eorkinp in KDOe District
Headquarters, Vienna XX, LEMER spent the war years in England
and returned to Austria in 1945; he has served on a number of Com-
munist youth delegations to foreign eountries,4*
f, Eduard KRAHL, Bezirksleiter for KPOe District Headquarters, Vienna IV,
is also assigned a lob in the Werkschutz command, He has a number
o personal associations with Soviet personnel,*
Prof Hans KNAUEH, orchestra leader, residine at Vienna XV,
Weyringerpasse 27, hae recently taken charge of a committee of
teachers and educators directed by the Central Committee. One
TUCHERT1 residing at Vienna X, Van der Nuelleasse? also works
on the committee of teachers and educators, in addition to his
other duties in the bookkeeping and disbursing office of the
Central Committee- TEICHERT's brother-in-law, Walter KIRSCH, ie
an editor of the Kinderland publication,
PLETZL, formerly of the Staatspolizei, ie now an official or
inderland in Vienna-*****
Approved For REWiterelfliffeffirdROWN/*
700050004-7
Approved For Rel
25X1X6
71,0 ? W. Sitiffilianagg00279gM 4-7
CENTRAL IMELLIGENCE AGENCY
-11-
sou Jarmam,1242
34.. a. Dr. Valentin STRECHA0 police official, is ellegedly attempting
to recruit reliable Communist to work for the Soviet IND.*
b. Kurt BHNTSCHOW1TZ (or BHTSCHOVITZ), Vienna XVIII, Peter Jordan-
strasee 27, a member of the KPOe, recently boasted that he had
just made a trip to Bratislava? without a passport in company with
a diplomat from one of the Eastern European states.
c. Friedl FUERNBERGto family occupiese number of important posts.
His wife. Eli. FUERNBERG, runs the Austrian section of TASS. His
sister Erna directs a business which manages a number of hotels
and restaurants. At presents the concern controls the Riesenrad
restaurant and a lodging housoe in Puchenstuben, Lower Austria.
other lodging houses were formerly maintained in flondsee, Salzbug
Providce, and Gerloe-Platte, Tyrol. FHERNBERGIs brother-in-law,
Hans JELLINEK, was consultant on personnel for the Soviet Oil
Adminintration and is now on a trip to Berlin and ',Tamura ox KPOe
business,.
commenta
Laata
25X1A6a
Comment. The Communists now have four seats in Parliament,.
Pape 2
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
25X1X6
* gitz While a cooler estimate of Communist election prospects is
given in the preceding paragraph, it is of interest that this and similar
remarks are alJegedly made on all Party levels not infrequently.
* *
?
Egmatattv VORROJ is probably identical With a person of the sane
name, said to be both an employee of Globus Verlag and social consultant
at FOeJ National Headquarters, wholin was reported among Com- 25X1A2g
munist functionaries attending the Leo Gabler CPOe school, Vienna XVIII?
Ilartinstrasse 92,in August 19484,
11111122ErieLts SCHMIDTBAUER is possibly identical with an Alois SCPBan-
**a
HER, now residing at Langergasee 90, Graz, whojin the fall of 19470at-
tended a Communist school at Vienna II, Laufbergergesse 12. Criticiem of
the KPOe by foreign Communist critics is not new, and it is unlikely on
other evidence that the KPOe will be reorganized in the foreseeable future.
eomment: Similar reports of rifts within the Central Committee
have tmys failed to materialize; notably, reports of "deviationism"
on the part of FISCHER are regarded as improbable,
rAgre _
cionimt: The proaram outlined inA through !!,1 Teears a strong resemblance
,o that of certain Central Committee directives, purporting to have been
issued in January 1949, which allegedly laid down plans for an "Abwehr"
campaign to gather military information concerning the Western Allies.
;':nureeillin January 1949 reported the initiation of a similar program but
attributed its origin to the Central Committee Intof*mation Office under
Franz MAIM, rather than to the Kampfbund pegen die Kriegshetzer) as seated
above.. A consideration of the dubious ultimate provenance and subsequent
transmittal of all this information renders the assumption at least possible
that all reports on this theme have been fabricated wholly or in part. Never,-
theless, while suspicion as to their genuinev:ees is heightened by the fairly
grandiose plans for projected espionage against the Western Powers, it should
be remembered that there may be a great difference between elaborate plans
for such action and modest attempts to put such action into effect, The
underlying nucleus of all these rerorts, that the Ig0,3 is interested in
gathering military information concerning the Western Powers, may well be
isrue, though it is unlikely that this campaign is being organized in detail
ee pushed with greet vigor.
"
Approved For Release
02700050004-7
25X1A6a
**
25X1A6t"
25X1A?40*
25X1A2g
25X1i?A*
25X1A6a
25X1Aft
5X1A6a***
25X1A64a
25X1A.N6
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
_Omment: BOEHEQs conciliatory speech in January 1949 before the
neon of AustrianIndustrialists was net particularly well received by
many rank-and-file Socialists.
25X1A6a
*38* 11111[Comment: Defection of HELUER or any ether prominent Socialist
to S HATFT7Freup is regarded as fantastic,
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050004-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
flgeUlesaati
25XE.
1
Comeent: Said te be a pseudonym; there are no file traces on this
11
ee
n,idiial.- /
III! JComment: It has_been reported that Robert ROS K? believed to
. e a bscow-trained representative of the KPOe at the Trattnerhof head-
quartere of USIA, has made several trii to Vorarlberg in recent months.
ROSSAK? mentioned in may possibly be connected with
the above-mentioned
gn
oraritterg
25X1A2g
Comment,: ENGLER has not been previously reported. BURGHART and
HETL eumab]y identical with BURKHART and Peter HEIL, reported
in
as FOeJ plants in the Gewerkschaftsjugend, The preceding
paragraph is fragmentary and in no sense a complete picture of KPOe
activity in the trade unions.
1111111Comment: ATINKO was mentioned in on 3 February 1949,
however, Source C reported that JaINKO was no longer national head
of Kinderland thouph he remained honorary president. STEIGM0reported
as secretary in was allegedly no lonper a paid official. To
judge by paragraph 33 c, a number of chanees have occurred recently in
Kinderland.
peege 4
25X1A2g
25X1A2g
Comment: In the new address of"Vienna F08,7 Headquarters
idto be Vienna IV, Prinz Eugenstrasse 30,
2
IIIIIII 5X1A2g
pomment: As reported in ASCIHR replaced SCHWARZ at Vienna
FOeJ Headquarters, while wraNgling between SCHWARZ and BRICHACEK was re-
ported in see also the following paragraph,
25X1A2g
Maseent: This tendency was reported in
25X1X6
Comment: Source Ereported that Georg BREUER and Xim UNGER, well
-
own FOeJ officials, went to Germany in early February 1949 to meet
Werner FISCHER of the Freie Deutsche Jugend; the purpose of the meeting
was allegedly to take action on a Soviet suggestion that a !an-European
Youth Organization be created with headquarters in Germany,. It is con-
sidered likely that these two reports refer to the same meeting,
Comment: Gottfried HOLZER is possibly meant ee 25X1A2g
Comment: This may be edentical with Ludwig SCHREDER of the Verband
o scher Haeftlinge.
11111Comment: This number seems greatly exaggerated; however, source
attributes the growth of the Communist cells to pressure from USIA manage-
ment, reluctant workers aro subject to discharge as "incompetent",
CP welfare measures have also gained new members, he states,
25X1A2g
reazgal
Comment:
The pamphlet in
question
was presumebly not signed by SCHARF',
25Zola
*ere**
Comment: POSPISCHIL has not been previously reported,
Coritt Joeef Luitpold STERN is a we
Re1Vareil4499/119124E/: .Cei4rJ39 e
Anntrta af
ae_ 4e nom
0000
?
P 1111
k7omr,
25X1A6a.
2?X1A6a
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
***
25g46a
215X1A6a
Y*
25X1A6a
17
wir
ValHOW " _ ' "TVI' r"- A ? e( r" " 25X1A2
Approved For Re ' e099/09/24 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700050
CENTRAL INTEILIGFNCE AGENCY
fala6JP?110.
for construction workers and wood-workers at Kefermarkt? Muehlviertel?
Upper Austria. It is possible that STERN, like RENNFR and other old-
line Austrian Socialists, has remained a Marxist, but his support of
SCHARF is entirely unconfirmed, BAY KR has not been previously reported,
111111--
Comment: See also paragraph 3 b above,
,- ea
Corvaent: The report does not make it -clear Whether the Italiah
Consulate in Innsbruckis the sole channel through ehich Austrian Com-
munists obtain Italian visas.
Tafel
foment: The EArtinstrasse address is known to be the permanent seat
of the 'Leo Gabler Party school, Another source reports that HONNER made
a speech on 20 January 1949 at a session of the school concerning the Com-
munist attitude toward the coming elections.
IIIIII[Comment: B "decentralization" source presumably means that this
r MT
esponsib y has been, delegated to the district offices by KPOe City
?
Headquarters,
Comment: Dr, ZWITTER? editor of the OF organ Sloveneki Vestnik, has
been frequently mentioned in reports; LAUOUS has not been previously re-
ported,
Cont: nt:The only point in which all three reports agree is the er-
rural of TSCACFENIG in Vienna for some sort of Party training, however
this is to bp interpreted, NISCHELWITZER? TUERK, and KOMPEIN cannot be
identified with any certainty; LAMER may -be identical with Simunit MATZNER,
a well-known Austrian Cowen/1st; KALT is editor of the Carinthian Communist
flewenaner. Volkswilatg NISCIRIalTZER may be identical eith Josef HISCHEL;ITZEa
of
Page 8 25X1A2g
IIIIIIrowdrent: Lezund Ziel is edited by Franz 71AFEK, assisted by Hermann
LANG3EIN, both of the Ceara Committee, and its editorial office is in ,the
Central Committee building at Vienna IX, Wasagasse 10 ,
WComment: Previous reports have indicated that recent proceeds from
ales have had a galvanizing effect on the lethargic finances of Globus.
PagP 9
25X1A6a _itiiiomment: Source does not specify which Communist printing house he
is discussing in these remarks, but it is presumably Globus Veriag? He
further fails to indicate in what way the Austrian Government has countered
any publishing schemes aimed at Germany, especially since the discussian
in paragraph 27 d above inracates that Communist publications can evade
Austrian Lae with Soviet assistance,
II_Cosenent Wit
: HLANATSCH, SSER, end SINKGRUBER are otherwise unknown,
_Comment: RAUNIK has not been previously lis ed,
Comment: Another source reported a similar meeting on 24 Januar4
a.Ja by-FISCHER and FUERNBFIG for the KPOe and Dr:TraTTE/ for the OF,
LO
__
25X1A6a
-A**
25X1X6a
ommert: This firm is probably S. Inslicht Export-Import
V/enna IV, rohllebengasse 18: The owner of this firm is probably identical
with Sam INSLICHT, residing at Vienna XIX, Gottagegasse 96, listed in the
Vienna telephone directery as correspondent for New Life Senior Press, Ltd,,
London, Source Ilreported on 14 February 1949. that the Transport-Express firm,
Vienna IV, Wohilebeneasse 18, is a cover enterprise for the KPOe once this
firm is not listed in the 1949 viandels-CompassInor in the Vienna telephone ele
rectory, it 3s not possible to identify the Inslicht firm with Transnort-axis
teoueh both are at the saee seieeess, The name of the latter firm Implies a trev
eort or foreardine company; it v be noted that Juschwneschtram and -
Approved For Release 199
004-7
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
ittiM
25,a46a
25X1A6a
***w***
25X1A6a
25X1A6a
***t*****
25X1A6a
Approved For Rele 00050040%2
CENRAL INTMLIGENCI; AGENCY
- 34 -
Opappe4
GC),, both Soviet-eontrolled forwarding agencies, have of-
nlees at Vienna IV: Wehllebeuit Transtlart Errs3 . .
is allegedly headed by Hans ALUIFEA, tormerly'EveJ jezirksleiter for, Vienna. IV;
call! Kurt EISNER, not previous17 reported, a member of the Academic Freedom
Fighter Society.. said to be an employee, 'Offices of Transport-Express are
A.!td to be well guarded, presumably by the KPOe,?
Comment: This report is completely unconfirmed, Other alleged movemen4,s
- -
of Communists will be reported separately.
IIIComment: FRIESENBICHLER haA not been previously reported.
Comment: Possibly Anna PAWLINI reported as a leading Viennece woman
Communist..
IWComment: Possibly flACHECEK vill work at the new office mentioned in
paragraph ili- above rather than at .tle Central Committee building, BICHARD1
has also been spelled PICHARDI and i3 otherwise unknown, !:ACHACEK has been
spelled MACHECEK in 25X1A2g
Comment: BIMER and SPIEOEL au c both known; SPIEGEL was mentioned in
25X1A2g
25X21
111111:
Comment: Both individual! were mentioned in
-----
iiilli.
Comment: KRAHL, KPOe distAct head in Vienna IV, was reported in
as Josef KRAHL, tailor, with shop and rasidence in Vienna IV, Favoritenffiri.
Both KRAHL of this report and KRAHL of re probably identical with
Eduard KRAL, tailor, listed in th; Vienna telephone directory In Vienna IV,
Favoritenstrasse 48,, 25X1A2g
Comment: KIRSCH has been pleviously reported as an employee at KPOe
Headquarters, KNAUER? MEM, and TEICHMT are previously unknown,
pm..c 11
Comment: STRECHA, born in Vienna in 1916, was a former secretary of
IIIIIR
_ . ItR? and has been active in the Communist Party since 1934;
11
64411Nalt N 11104101001 WW1
Approved For Releas 9/ 9/24 : IA-RbP82-00457R002700050004-7