Report to von Neurath's office on the 18,998 students from the Czech universities that were closed, the threat of terrorism, proposing that they be conscripted for labor in Germany

Prague, 21 November 1939 The Reich Protector, Bohemia and Moravia Head of Group X X/119/39 Secret
SECRET
1. Note.
Report from: Oberregierungsrat Dr. Dennler.
Re: Enrollment of students affected by the closure of Czech Universities.
According to the data at my disposal the number of students affected by the closure for 3 years of the Czech Universities is 18,998.
According to the Press communications dated the 21st of this month only 1,200 persons were arrested in connection with the events of the 15th of this month. Even if it were only students who were affected by this—of which I am not aware—there nevertheless remains some 17,800 people who .are suddenly faced by
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a change in their whole way of living which affects them in every respect.
This fact calls for a rapid examination of the question as to what is to become of this mass of persons who have become unemployed.
What gives rise to this question is; on the one hand, the imminent expectation of a,certain political danger and, on the other hand, the fact that the further idleness of such a considerable number of Protectorate subjects can not be tolerated.
The expectation of a political danger I deduce from the well-known tendency of young Slav students to commit acts of terrorism. I need only refer to Favrilo Princip (28/6/1914), Lenin's brother (attempt of the Czar's life), Dora Brillant (famous Russian terrorist), etc. If the young Czech students have so far not had recourse to such means (such events are unknown to me in recent Czech history) , this is probably because they had no direct cause to do so. But now the lives of a number of young undeveloped people have been interfered with by the closure of the Universities, we shall have to reckon, in my opinion, with reactions.
[Manuscript marginal note to this document reads: "In this connection it should be stressed that—contrary to the Old Reich —an extraordinarily high percentage of students come from the working classes. It will therefore, be easier for the expelled students here than in the Old Reich to act as bearers of ideas among the working classes during the time in which the Universities are closed."]
In order, on the one hand, to meet this danger and, on the other hand, to meet the impossible situation—for the other reasons set forth above—where thousands of people in the Protectorate are allowed to remain idle, I consider it necessary to conscript for labor such members of the above-named category as are suitable therefor.
But in my opinion only employment in the Old Reich can be considered, for which the government decree re general compulsory labor service dated 25/7/1939 would give the requisite legal authority. Their employment in the Protectorate is, in my opinion, not possible for political and security reasons, and is also but of the question owing to the lack of suitable accommodation near the Autobahns, which are probably the only places where one could consider employing them. On the other hand, their employment for a limited period on the Autobahns in the Old Reich could, according to my information, be carried out
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without further ado because there is sufficient barracks space available there.
Should the intention of using the people concerned for labor in Germany be followed up, it would be necessary to exchange views beforehand with Secretary of State, Dr. Syrup. There would, in addition, be the matter of transportation to be settled, about which I cannot give an opinion.
Via Chief of Division II, Ministerialrat Dr. Bertsch.
To the Under Secretary of State von Burgsdorf.
(Dr. Dennler.)
[Pencil note:]
I am for a quick clarification of these matters following Denn-ler's suggestion.
II B 22/XI/39