As matters stand, however, it is evident that such propaganda, if implemented exclusively by members of the military administration, would doubtless lose much of its original value — aha, a true word for once! — and it would seem advantageous, given the goal, to involve as far as is feasible people suited to the task who are also interested both idealistically and practically, in order that the impact may be raised to a level as far removed from the military perspective as possible. — Hmm, that’s a bit over the top! — This essential consideration in turn requires, for reasons of military discipline, that such propaganda can only commence shortly before the deportation of the Russian prisoners of war — that’s self-evident! — though it is to be hoped that they return to their homeland with the full force of what they have learnt fresh in their minds. — New paragraph.
Political considerations: It is with the deepest and most sincere conviction, here in Austria-Hungary of all countries, that a candid assurance can be given to the Russians about to be repatriated that we never wanted the war, but had ardently sought peace — that’s what he’d do well to emphasize, we’re as pure as the driven snow—
CLERK Pardon me? We’re pure as—
CAPTAIN No, no, don’t write that! — ardently sought peace, and how emphatically and sincerely we regretted the undoubted hardships that the fate of imprisonment inflicts on prisoners of war, and how any trials and tribulations possibly suffered by the prisoners of war — steady on! — in no way sprang from dislike or a low opinion or even hatred of the Russian people, but solely from the accumulation of difficulties caused by the long duration of the war. — New paragraph.
Social considerations: Without in any way touching on current social conditions in Russia, those Russians returning home can be suitably enlightened as to the merits and characteristic features of our social structures, their attention drawn in particular to the ways in which prosperity and progress are continually rising, to the lasting benefit of both the community and individuals — and individuals … Well, at least that bit’s true! — New paragraph. Now comes the all-important bit.
Economic considerations: Since facts prove that the great difficulties caused on all sides by the long duration of the war and its disturbances can be surmounted only by maximum deployment of all available labour, aligned with the swift implementation of the exchange of goods organized on liberal, supranational lines, returning Russians will readily understand that trade relations with the Monarchy must be established rapidly and without restraint as an absolute necessity. From this perspective it should prove simple to demonstrate to the peasants in a convincing manner that those who hoard their produce, and by so doing prevent it being utilized in free trade, only harm themselves, since they will not, or only belatedly, come into possession of those articles for daily use which they desire, since our own population, which is employed in the manufacture of such goods, would lack adequate nourishment to develop their commercial energies fully, energies which in peacetime, with proper nourishment, are required for a flourishing export trade. — Well, surely they’ll see the point of that. — New paragraph.
Gangs of agricultural workers, however, especially prisoners of war in farming communities, have no need of such propaganda, except perhaps to influence the behaviour of Russian prisoners of war working on the land by suggesting that food supplies to the urban population leave much to be desired, and that imported food is urgently needed. — They must see that. — New paragraph.
However, Russian prisoners of war working in factories, on building sites, and in administration are a different matter. It would very useful if employers in such cases were to take upon themselves the patriotic duty of lightening the load of the Russian prisoners of war as much as is feasible during the final days of their labour here. — New paragraph.
All military directors of firms operating under the Industrial War Service Act, and of military mining enterprises and their commandants, are accordingly instructed to visit and inspect forthwith all places of work where Russian prisoners of war are employed, and similarly to bring their influence to bear on the prisoners of war, as already required of camp commandants — see below (and under heading Ministerial Decree no.14169/18). — New paragraph.
The camp commandant must visit dormitories, officers’ quarters, and camp hospitals in turn, and enter into personal contact with the Russian prisoners of war. (In warm tones.) He will ask how they are, enquire after their parents, after the food, postal service, clothing. Any complaints he must deal with at the time and in public, in the presence of all the prisoners of war, investigating all the details. He must convince them that he personally will leave no stone unturned to get to the truth, and thus dispense justice. Any complaints about food and clothing he will use to prove to the Russians that it is not our fault but that of our Western enemies, and that we would be especially delighted to give the Russian prisoners of war more if we had it. For they, the Russians, are after all no longer our enemies. (In even warmer tones.) We never did think of them as our enemies, as is proven by the many earlier wars in which Russians and Austria-Hungary fought bravely shoulder to shoulder. The camp commandant must visit the kitchens now and again, when the meat or fish is being distributed. He must seize two or three prisoners of war just as they’re—
CLERK Pardon?
CAPTAIN —must seize them just as they’re taking their ration back to their bunk. (Fervently.) Put down the mess tin, fetch the scales, weigh the meat or fish. The more people watching, the better. Then produce the rations book, how much meat bought today altogether? Subtract 25 percent for bones, 20 percent during cooking, divide the rest by the number of individual portions and (threateningly) if even 10 grams are missing per portion, then, if there are, say, 200 portions, two kilos of meat or fish have been stolen. (Sounding stern.) Who did it? Food ration tribunal, summon the cooks, the officers in charge of rations! Hold court in front of all the prisoners of war in the unit — law must be strictly observed. Outcome: Cooks, officers in charge of rations, and everyone else working in the kitchen subjected to punishment, if culprit not found. — New punishment! — I mean, new paragraph.
If the commandant should find any Russian in possession of tobacco, cigarettes, bread bought outside, sausage, etc., he must enquire as to the price the prisoner of war in question paid for it. It will soon become clear that there are many black-marketeers among the prisoners of war. These shady traders are not always Jews. They have sources outside the camp from whom they can buy when they get the opportunity, and sell to their comrades in the camp, the prisoners of war, for three or four times as much. If the camp commandant manages to catch one of these shady traders — (in a rage) strip him, body search, and go through his belongings. He’ll often find 500 crowns or more. Confiscate it and distribute to the other prisoners of war everything in excess of what he can’t legally account for. — New paragraph.
At the present time, the Russian prisoners of war will listen to the commandant for hours if he is able to tell them something about exchange of prisoners. How long will it be until it’s our turn? If he’s in a position to prove to them in words of one syllable that it’s not our fault the exchange is taking so long, then the prisoners of war will be happy to shoulder their shovels again, only he mustn’t denigrate Russia in the process. That would be a big mistake. — New paragraph.