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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE December 26, 1986 Page 11
Through the years-the ’30s
THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
A Magazine Perpetuating Jewish Ideals
Volume 5 JANUARY 31, 1931 Number 23
jAdolf Hitler “Explains ’
An Exclusive Interview With Germany’s Fascist Chieftain
By MAX FRAENKEL
In this sensational interview, the only one which Germany's
anti-Semitic leader has ever granted to a Jewish journalist,
the mental poverty of Adolf Hitler is revealed in its entirety.
Cornered by a few direct questions by the fearless inter
viewer who introduced himself unceremoniously in a restau
rant, the Nazis’ chief candidly lays bare his arrogant, un
reasoning hatred of the Jews and definitely stamps himself
as an intolerant ignoramus. —The Editor.
In a Hallensee mooting hall
some forty minutes from the
Dotsdamer Plat/., transformed by
an enterprising owner into a
kind of beer restaurant, an oblig
ing waiter whispered into mv ear,
with ill-concealed awe: “Da sitzt
dor Euhrer" (There sits the
Leader).
About a long wooden table bare
of cloth a group of rather young-
looking men were gathered. Their
\oices, loud, animated, outshoutod
one another except when he,
the Leader, spoke. Then as if bv
magic, complete silence fell, not only over this one
table but through the entire hall. He, the Leader,
sensing that even his private conversation was re
garded as a public address, raised his voice and put
into play his extraordinary oratorical ability. Look
ing at his vis-a-vis, apparently unconcerned about
the intense spotlight centered around his person
ality, the lieader, Adolf Hitler, spoke in a well-
modulated voice, pausing from time to time to
swallow an imposing-looking stein of beer.
Adolf Hitler’s pictures do not do justice to the
uncontested leader of the National Socialists. He
looks much younger than his forty-one years His
athletic figure, his military bearing, his fresh com
plexion, his authoritative expression, which is en
hanced by his thin, pointed, aggressive mustache,
giving one the impression of a Herman officer of
pre-war days in civilian clothes.
When 1 introduced myself he stiffened. His en
tourage studied his countenance >o as to know
whether to make room for me. But Hitler did
not seem inclined to speak to a newspaper corres
pondent in front of his young followers. He
motioned to the Oberkellner and asked him to show
us into a sort of private office on the same floor.
Tiiere, a little less stiffly hut still business-like, he
asked me: ‘‘What is it you want to know?"
My first question, without any introductory pre
amble. was: “Ts anti-Semitism a plank of the poli
tical platform of the Nazis?”
Hitler blinked at my query, and asked: “Do you
represent a Jewish paper?" I explained that T
was interested in obtaining a clear idea of his stand
because I was making a study of anti-Semitism in
Europe. Speaking with a noticeable Bavarian ac
cent, the leader of the Nazis then said:
*‘f don’t like to give interviews. I am a news
paperman myself and know how easily one’s words
are distorted. But since you are here I shall
answer some of your questions, it being understood
that I represent my personal views. The rules of
my party prohibit the issuing of statements unless
they are approved by our inner council."
* T was unable to suppress a smile as 1 thought
of Hitler’s dictatorial powers. Guessing the reason
for my apparent skepticism, Hitler added: “We
are a disciplined party. As a matter of fact, the
Nationalist-Socialists are the best-disciplined poli
tical body in the Reich.
“Anti-Semitism", he continued, “is not, as such,
a part of our program. Our program is to purge
Germany of all such elements as hinder its return
to normal conditions. Germany must become a
land for Germans, for free German citizens, not
for German slaves dominated by Jewish capital."
v
The interviewer interposed: “As one who has
lived in Germany for many years 1 know that Jew
ish capita! plays an unimportant role in the eco
nomic life of the country. In the great industries,
in the manufacturing and of course in the agricul
tural phases of German life Jews play a minimal
part. What, then, do you mean by ‘German slaves
dominated by Jewish capital?’"
The would-be dictator of Germany was in no
hurry to reply. Slowly, emphasizing every word,
he said: “When I speak of Jewish capital, Jewish
Adolf Hitler
politics and Jewish domination I
do not necessarily mean Jews. I
mean, rather, all that is not truly
German. The Jews have infected
German culture and German poli
tics with their views. By trying
to transform themselves into Ger
mans they have turned Germans
into Jews. They influence busi
ness and politics with their inter-
nationalistic ideas. The only way
in which Germans who have be
come infected with Judeophilia
l can be saved is by labeling every
thing un-German Jewish."
“In other words, you are making the German
Jew the victim, the scrapegoat of your policy.” 1
observed.
“No", replied the Leader, “They are a real
menai'c.”
“How can less than one per cent of the total
population be a threat to the nation? There are
only about half a million Jews in this country
of almost seventy millions", I continued.
“Your figures are not exactly correct, but a few
tens of thousands one way or the other make little
difference. However, how about the Communists
in Russia? Though their percentage in the total
population is smaller than that of the Jews here
they control the country.’’
“What do you propose to do about this Jewish
‘menace’?” I countered.
Hitler smiled, but the smile did not soften his
stern expression. With quiet determination he made
this statement: “I intend to do nothing against the
Jews except carry on the educational campaign I
have prosecuted during the last few years. But
whatever the National-Socialists Party will do to
carry out its political program it will do in a
constitutional way. German life must be purged
of all foreign elements that distort the true German
spirit. The government must be in the hands of
Germans intent upon but one goal: to liberate
Germany from its present slavery. This can be
done by instilling into Germans their lost self-
respect and their faith in their own abilities. The
propaganda which we carry on is aimed to elevate
German self-confidence."
“Are you serious when you advocate the whole
sale expulsion of Jews from Germany?" 1 inquired
squarely.
Unhesitatingly the Leader replied : “I do want
to get rid of”—he used the word loswcrden—“those
Jews who since the War have invaded our country
from Eastern Europe and undermined our morale
by mad speculation, who are devoid of all patriot
ism and have made fortunes out of our national
catastrophe. As for the rest, 1 merely want to
limit their influence by passing legal prohibitions
against their participation in the government and
by eliminating from public life such non-Jews as
act as puppets for Jewish capital."
‘ Can you name any such ‘puppets’?*’
“I would call the entire Bruening Cabinet a
Jewish cabinet. I qualify the Stresemann foreign
policy a Jewish policy. I designate the Berlin
police department as Jewish. The humiliating sur
render of German interests to our former enemies
is due entirely to Jewish influence." (On page 10)