Part 5 (1/2)

”A shrill, unpleasant voice then spoke:

”'All the princes and the lands of Europe are at present in debt.

The stock exchange regulates these debts. But such things are done only by movable capital; therefore all the movable capital must go over to the hands of the Jews. The foundation for this is already laid, judging from what we have heard here. If we will be supreme in the stock exchange, we will attain the same supremacy in the governments. Therefore it is necessary to facilitate loans in order to get them into our hands all the more. Wherever possible, we must take in exchange for capital, mortgages on railroads, taxes, mines, regalia and domains. Furthermore, the stock exchange is a means for the transfer of the belongings of the small people to the hands of the capitalists, by drawing them into stock gambling. Transactions in securities are a splendid invention of our nation. Although the stock exchange members cheat one another sometimes, it is the outsider who always pays in the end.'

”The voice which resounded on the Paris Bourse became silent.

”'Do the _zekenim_ agree with the opinion of our brother?' asked the Levite.

”A whisper of approbation was the answer to this question.

”'Representative of the tribe of Simeon, it is your turn now!'

”A serious, dull voice resounded after this order. Each word was p.r.o.nounced slowly and thoughtfully:

”'Owners.h.i.+p of land is always the iron-clad, everlasting possession of every country. This in itself gives power, respect and influence. Therefore, the Jews should secure the possibility of acquiring real estate. It will not be hard to accomplish this, if we acquire movable capital. Therefore it is necessary to facilitate loans on land. Under the fear of scandal we will destroy land wealth and minimize its importance. Owners.h.i.+p of land should be mobilized, if lands are sold as other commodities. The more we help in the breaking up of estates, the more easily will they fall into our hands. Under the pretext of relieving the poor cla.s.ses, it is necessary to levy all taxes of states and communities on the land owners. When the land is in our hands, the labor of the Christian workers and farmers will give us a tenfold income.'

”He who did not belong to any tribe laughed sneeringly.

”'This advice is good, but not new. Ask in Paris and in Vienna, who owns the houses there?'

”A whisper of approbation was heard again.

”'Tribe of Judah, your turn!'

”The voice that resounded was marked with conviction and reminded one of the sound of the Thaller.

”'Industry, the power of the burgher, which hinders the Jewish nation, must be paralyzed even as agriculture. The manufacturer should be no better than an ordinary worker. The means to accomplish this may be the unlimited freedom of trade. The manufacturer will take the place of the artisan as he does not have to work, only to speculate. The children of Israel can adapt themselves to all branches of work. Their capital and dexterity will be the subst.i.tute for right. Transforming the artisans into our factory workers, we will be in a position to direct the ma.s.ses for our political purposes. Whoever resists this system will be destroyed by compet.i.tion. The senseless and ungrateful ma.s.ses will not support the artisans in this struggle, if commodities are reduced in price to a certain extent.

”A noisy approbation of the new Sanhedrin showed that the soundness of this advice had long been appreciated and even applied in practice.

”'Now it is my turn,' said the representative of Levi-'I speak in the name of the tribe of Aaron. The natural enemy of the Jews is the Christian church. Therefore we must try to humiliate it, we must instill into it free-thinking, scepticism, and conflicts.

Therefore we will, first of all, start a war on the clergy, we will try to arouse suspicion against it and ridicule it. The main pillar of the church is the school. Therefore we must gain influence over the young. Under the guise of progress and the equal rights of all religions, we will destroy the study of religion in Christian schools. Then the Jews may become teachers in all schools; then religion will be taught at home. And as there is little time left for that, the spirit of religion will gradually decline, and eventually it will be destroyed altogether. Agitation for the appropriation of property belonging to the churches and schools, the transfer of church property to the state, or (what is the same) into the hands of the Jews, will be our reward!'

”Again approbation followed the words of the man who had spoken.

n.o.body contradicted him and he announced:

”'Representative of the tribe of Isaachar, it is your turn!'

”Now an old, trembling voice spoke:

”'Let our brethren strive for the abolition of armed force. The coa.r.s.e military art is not for the sons of Israel. Not everyone can be a Gideon! The army is for the defense of the throne and the school of narrow patriotism. Not the sword, but reason and money must rule. Therefore at every opportune instance, it is necessary to help the downfall of the military cla.s.s, to arouse suspicion in the ma.s.ses against it, and to incite animosity against one another.

It is enough for the soldiers to do police duty and to protect the wealthy from those who have nothing.'

”'The Lion of Judah has spoken,' said the stranger angrily. 'David conquered Goliath. The nations will soon wear long coats instead of military armour. A slap on the bourse will be equivalent to a lost battle.'

”It looked as though a storm was rising against this arrogant sarcasm, but one word from the eldest restored them all to calm.

”'This is the son of Baal! He may say whatever he pleases. But he will do whatever is decided by the council of the tribes.'

”'The tribe of Zebulun may speak!'