27 January 1915, Wednesday

Vienna. Bruno Schulz reports to the Central Aid Agency for War Refugees from Galicia and Bukovina.

Vienna* where Schulz arrived at the end of November, was still a city full of splendour. However, the ongoing war caused growing economic problems. Military operations in Galicia cost a lot of money, there were more and more refugees1, most men in their prime are at the front, production of grain, meat, dairy and vegetables was reduced by 50 percent, weekly fat consumption was reduced to 40 grams. The prices of basic products were rising rapidly, more and more people were forced to eat free meals served in the so-called war kitchens (Kriegsküche). It is likely that Schulz was also beginning to feel the effects of rampant inflation, as on 27 January he reported to the Central Agency for Aid for War Refugees from Galicia and Bukovina (Zentralstelle der Fürsorge für Flüchtlinge aus Galizien und der Bukowina)2.

The allowance of 29 krone and 40 hellers, which he received every two weeks at Zirkusgasse 5, was below the subsistence level and had be sufficient for three people3. The sum of 70 hellers (1/100 of a krone) was not enough to cover the daily requirements of even the most basic products. During that time, a kilogramme of flour as well as five eggs cost more (80 hellers), a kilogramme of bread (50 hellers), and two litres of milk (60 hellers) a little less4. Schulz’s relatives in Vienna were presumably still supporting him, and a small amount only supplemented the home budget. (js) (transl. ms)

  • 1
    According to the data of the Central Committee, 150,000 Jews and 50,000 Poles were already seeking refuge in Vienna (after Beatrix Hoffmann-Holter, Abreisendmachung. Jüdische Kriegsflüchtlinge in Wien 1914–1923, Wien – Köln – Weimar 1995, p. 283).
  • 2
    Organization founded by the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Richard Weiskirchner in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior on 10 September 1914. Its tasks included broadly understood social care for poor or destitute war refugees from Galicia and Bukovina, including providing them with free medical care, food and clothing, free legal protection, transport for returning home and free housing (in fact in barrack camps or basements). Bruno Schulz used the help of the headquarters from 27 January 1915 to 12 August 1915* (Beatrix Hoffmann-Holter, op.cit., p. 44; Gabriele Kohlbauer-Fritz, Elend wohin man schaut, Kriegsflüchtlinge in Wien, im Epizentrum des Zusammenbruchs, Wien im Ersten Weltkrieg, Herausgegeben von Alfred Pfoser, Andreas Weigl, Wien 2013, p. 97, Neue Freie Presse, 18 November 1914).
  • 3
    According to the regulation of the Imperial-Royal Ministry of the Interior from 1914, the daily amount per person using the support of the Central Agency for Assistance for War Refugees from Galicia and Bukovina was 70 hellers. The sum Schulz received (29.40 krone) was therefore intended for three people. This is only confirmed by the data on his war refugee card, which shows that he is in Vienna with his sister Joanna Hoffmann, 31, and nephew Ludwik, 12.
  • 4
    Data from the Austrian Statistical Office from January 1915 (Die Entwicklung der Verbrauchpreise seit 1900, Beiträge zur österreichischen Statistik, Heft 956).