English Translation

- 4 - 3.) I have repeatedly pointed out and admonished at numerous press conferences these alarming appearances and have often asked the chief editors and senior officials of the censorship service to prevent their co-workers from acting accordingly. I take this serious opportunity to repeat these admonitions with all urgency in the interest of all those involved. Any superior who does not inform his subordinates accordingly is in danger of being guilty of such misconduct. The argument of overburdening work cannot generally be accepted as an excuse for non-compliance with supervisory obligations after the considerable limitation of the scope of the daily and journal press. This applies in particular to the cultural officers of the newspapers, whose field of work has decreased considerably in the course of the restriction measures to total war use. All censorship officers must be made clear that in their activities even mere passivity can become a serious criminal offence. 4.) Overall, I have to say that according to National Social Security and punishment, like any sabotage of manual work, what the German Minister of State for Bohemia and Moravia e.g. Recently, in a call to the working people in Moravia-Ostrava, he said: "Whoever tries to avoid this appeal for conscientious work is a saboteur at home as well as at the interests of the empire. On sabotage, however, there is death. In an hour when the fate of all European humanity is at stake, no saboteur can expect consideration and protection from those who, for years now, bring the most serious blood sacrifice for the avertment of the Bolshevik danger. Whoever does his duty, continues to enjoy protection and pandering of the kingdom. To the one who opposes, the full sharpness of the law strikes." - 5 -