Ostmark

supported with timber and roofed over, and should provide excellent protection against all but a direct hit.

The Housemasters tested the fire-fighting squads already in existence and equipped the cellars with emergency requirements, medical supplies, etc., measured the entire School for gasmasks and finally staged a comprehensive rehearsal.

Everyone was relieved when the job was done, and considerably more relieved when news of peace came from Munich. Even this relief, however, was tempered with the desire for preparedness, and permanent frames for sealing doors and windows have since been made for the cellars and stored, and the trenches are being carefully maintained.

There is no doubt that many readers will be puzzled by the title of this contribution. In order to explain this, " Ostmark " is the new name for Austria introduced by Herr Hitler.

After visiting this picturesque land before and after the annexation to Germany, one sees a great change in the people. Before, they were carefree and happy and said what they wished, but now their minds seem to have changed under the strict German regime. They are now a frightened people; frightened by the sign of the swastika and by soldiers, both of which can be seen everywhere. The former is displayed on cars, boats, trains, buildings, shopfronts, on the arm of every soldier and even for the love of their new sign some Austrian climbers have chipped it out of the stone face of a precipice high up in the mountains. This sign, however, does not altogether spell unhappiness. The poorer classes are better under the prosperous wing of the Fiihrer, for he has given them work in the numerous factories organised by the State. This is a very important fact, because before it became part of Germany, people had not worked for years, and the financial position of the country was very low.

Although there have been many recent changes in Austria, the buildings are still standing to recall its former importance. During the last century, Vienna was the centre of a great Empire and, as a result, the rulers built magnificent palaces and laid out beautiful gardens in the centre of the city. Nowadays, these gardens are free for the public to enjoy and the palaces are empty like many 36