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Page 4 The Southern Israelite Well-Known .Author Converses On Jews By JOSEPH BRAININ lu’Iix Sal ten, the Viennese . novelist, dramatic critic aiul the literary feuilletonist of the Neve Ereie Presse, is one of the fore most of contemporary Herman writers and among the most emi nent Jewish litterateurs of Europe. His novel "Bamhi,” published in English some titne ago, created a deep impression in this country. In the follow ing intcrviciv Mr. Joseph Ilrainin gives an intimate impression of the great Austrian Jewish novel ist—in outline and detail precisely the essence of his interview’ ex tended to the representative of the Southern Israelite during Mr. S'alten’s recent visit to Atlanta with a group of foreign news paper personnel.—Tiik Editor. Felix Salten, the well-known Aus trian playwright and novelist, is one of the few European Jewish authors of note who are at peace with their Jew ishness. It does not disturb him. He accepts it with the same good grace as his slightly corpulent figure, his rather prominent nose and his coquetish Eng lish mustache. Last year Felix Salten celebrated his sixtieth anniversary, which his appearance denies. He has the youthful, vital face and physique of a man in his early forties. This ur banely smiling Continental homme de lettres is perfectly convinced that our sphere must follow its course regard- liss of human gesticulations and that inner conflicts, while providing good copy for novels, arc much less annoy ing than an aching tooth or head. This characterization may not, perhaps, fit the author of “Bamhi”; yet, rightly or wrongly, that is how he impressed me when I called on him at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York the other fore noon. My entrance interrupted his lec ture to a waiter on the subject of how to boil eggs correctly. Mr. Salten, you see, is a great student of history, who fully appreciates the influence of a smooth digestion on the course of po litical and literary events. We had a pleasant chat—he. the well- known author, and 1 the interviewer. As a matter of fact, our causerie was a hit too pleasant to please me. The author withstood my bombardment of questions without the slightest quiver; his sunny morning mood was not af fected in the least. As we conversed he sat there, immaculately dressed— with tie, socks and handkerchief of the same shade—at a neatly laid table and enjoyed his “second breakfast” in true European fashion. To get to the subject to he discussed was a most difficult task. There is something ludicrous about asking a man busily engaged in buttering his toast whether anti-Semitism in Europe is on the increase. In order to hurdle this obstacle and to avoid interference with Mr. Salten’s digestion we spoke of literary matters. “Who is the outstanding Jewish lit erary figure?" I inquired, adding, “present company excepted, of course." The author gracefully acknowledged the compliment and, pausing to swal low the remainder of an appetizing Vienna roll, remarked: “Quite an un usual question. We must first agree on the meaning of outstanding. Now— let me see.” Another pause, as Felix Salten sliced off the top of an egg with amazing dexterity. "Of course, Wassermann is very much disappointed at having been overlooked in the Nobel Prize selection. I suppose he is right. Wassermann deserves it no less than Thomas Mann.” The interviewer: "With the excep tion of Bergson no Jew, I believe, has received the Nobel Prize for litera ture.” The author: "There is no connection between the Jewishness of Wasser mann and the selection of Mann. The Nobel Prize Commission is absolutely free of anti-Semitism.” The interviewer: "Has Franz Wer- fel become a convert to Christianity?” The author (calmly proceeding with his breakfast activities): "He has not. lie married the widow of Gustav Mah ler, the composer, a non-Jewess. That must have started the rumors. Yes, he most representatives of intellectual Eu rope, might he able to comment on matters of greater interest to Jewish readers. So throwing parlor manners overboard, I asked him point blank: “What about anti-Semitism in Austria and Germany?” Felix Salten gently touched a snowy napkin to his mouth. Apparently the Jewish intellectual of Central Europe considers even anti-Semitism an appro priate topic for a table conversation. There was no bewilderment in the au thor’s attitude, and he spoke in a well- modulated drawing-room voice. "Anti- Semitism in Austria and Germany? Well, it is very much there. In Aus tria it is a very disturbing factor for all concerned. The political constella tion enables the anti-Jcwish elements tributor to the now defunct Zionist or Eelix Salten has great talent. He seems to believe, however, that mysticism in content must extend to style. He is afraid of clarity and simplicity. Emil Ludwig is, of course, an unusual talent. Perhaps he possesses too much talent to have genius. His influence on contempo rary European writing is tremendous. He has introduced a fearlessness in tackling political and historical ques tions that has greatly aided in clearing the atmosphere from its war prejudices and hysteria. Schnitzler has remained the same master story-teller. Some young men point to him as an out moded relic of pre-war days. But how ridiculous! He is as much of today as of yesterday, the subtle prober into human emotions.” The entertaining feuilletonist of the Viennese Neue Freie Presse could have gone on indefinitely with his tactful observations on modern European lit erature. His perfect ease enabled him to carry on a conversation while divid ing his attention between his vis-a-vis and his breakfast. Yet the interviewer felt that Felix Salten, one time close friend of Theodor Herzl, regular con- gan, Die Welt, and among the fore- to raise the cry against the Jewish Socialist. Nobody can deny that we are well represented in the Socialist leader ship of Autsria. The Heimwehr, of course, makes plenty of political capi tal out of its anti-Semitic slogans. The disgusting part of it—you will excuse the term"— (Felix Salten daintily fin ished a cup of coffee) "is that some of our wealthy Jewish bankers extend financial aid to the Heimwehr. No, it isn t done in any indirect way. The Heimwehr people simply borrow money from the Jewish bankers in order to carry on their propaganda; and our bankers give because they do not wish to be identified with the Socialist- Jewish element. Quite distressing, I assure you.” (The author attacked a dish of marmalade.) “When American Jewish bankers extend financial co operation to the Polish or Rumanian government they nurse the hope that it will produce a more favorable atti tude on the part of these governments toward their Jewish nationals. In this they may be right or wrong. But there is some justification—or, rather, an ex cuse—for their action. I n Anuria h..« ever, the bankers know that' their money will be used for direct action against the Jews.” Felix Salten’s smiling countenance had become very serious. Il e pusher' away his plates and lighted a cigarette’ To my numerous questions as to the Jewishness of the present generation in Europe, the influence of Zionism among the intellectuals, his own view* on the Palestine situation, he nicreh nodded without attempting to answer "I am not an oracle,” he said. “Jews When you speak of Jews you simply mean humanity. The Jewish range of types is too wide to be covered by a single caption. Just think of Trotzky at one pole and Lord Reading at the other. After all, every country has the Jews it deserves. Russia had to pro duce Communist Jews. After the in human. barbaric Czaristic regime onh a despicable Jew could have remained a monarchist. No, I am not a Com munist ; I am too much of an indi vidualist. Yet I realize that the Ru>- sian Jew today is a result of Russian conditions just as much as the Eng lish Jew is the answer to England's political regime. Germany will never emerge from her trouble as long a* she insists on making the Jews the scapegoats for the stupidity of it' Hohenzollerns, generals and diplomat' of pre-war and war days." “And are the Jews of Germany more race-conscious than before the war' the interviewer interposed. Felix Salten smiled at the question “You Americans always want mathe matical answers. Let me rather ask you a question: ‘Is there any such thing as a race altogether?’ One thine I know definitely: the German Jew knows less about religion than ever be fore. I have a friend, a very impor tant personage* who became converted to Christianity. I never asked him why We never broached the subject. But my silence must have irritated him. for one evening he told me, abruptly: became converted because of convic tion.’ I remained silent. He continued ‘Show me the command “love thy neighbor as thyself” in the Old Testa ment, and I will admit that I made a mistake.’ I remained silent, hut opened the Bible at the nineteenth chapter o Leviticus, verse eighteen, and show him those very words. My friend 4 nothing, nor did he return to Judaism “Are you a Zionist?” asked the i' terviewer. Felix Salten. the story-teller who ha' written more humanely about anima.' than perhaps any other contemporary writer, waved mv question aside, am no ‘ist’ whatsoever. I loved * n admired Herzl. There was somethin? beautiful in Zionism as an attempt t lift the Jew spiritually. The actual po litical and economic problems of estine today interest me. but do n ' arouse my enthusiasm. I a 111 J 1 an author looking at life, trying escape the limitations of party an >' gan ideology. I am for individua (C dom. I am very much agarn't p ’ tion—perhaps because I never And, his urbane self aPy 1 ' 11 - * Salten—born Saltzmann of Budapest excused himself, as he had t( L j,. luncheon appointment wit • (Copyright, 1930. by S.A.F. Syndicate ,c r S'**?* COn l £l aSS at the Postofifce at Allan a, Ga under the Act of March 3rd. 1879. Published monthly by The Southern Newspaper Enterprises, Inc. Subscr pOon R IS Cents Single Copy $1.50 per year m davance The Southern «*raehte «nv.tes correspondence and literary contributions, but the Edit-*- is not to be considered as sharing the yews the writers except those enunciated n the Editorial columns. Establirhed 192S. M. Stephen Schiffer, Managing Editor. All communications for pubHaction should reach this office not later 1st and ISth of each month.