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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)