Vienna is accustomed to bankruptcies. Anything up to a $100.000 no longer interests the Viennese public, for such bankruptcies are daily occurrences.
But when a man fails in millions of dollars, and especially if that man is a Jew. even Vienna cannot maintain its air of indifference. That is why Vienna is at present in a state of extraordinary excitement over Castilani. For Castilani, the Jew, has failed in millions.
Castilani’s story reads like a legend. He is some thirty odd years old. the son of a rabbi of Trieste. He accepted Christianity long ago, but it is said his heart still beats warmly for his people. In the course of the past ten years he made a fortune of over $100.000.000. and was considered the wealthiest man in Central Europe. He gained control of some of the best industries, factories. restaurants, etc.
But, not content with what he had achieved, he gambled with French franes and German marks. Until one day recently he discovered that he had lost his entire fortune and fell into bankruptcy.
The wheel of fate turns speedily and woe to him whose wheel turns the wrong way. But a few weeks ago it was considered a particular honor even by an Austrian member of the cabinet to be invited for dinner at Castilani’s mansion. Members of the Christian Social anti-Semitic element bowed their heads servilely before Castilani, seeking his good grace.
Castilani distributed huge sums for numerous institutions, offered stipends to various theatres and was a true art connisseur, having in his possession one of the most marvelous art and antique collections in Europe.
The Social-Democrats, who always hated Castilani for his hostility to socialism, conspired against him and as soon as they discovered that he was guilty of some illegal act. dating back six years, they had the criminal court take action against him. Castilani escaped from Vienna, but later returned and saved himself from arrest by placing bail in the sum of seven million Italian lires.
It is almost certain that Castilani will clear himself of this charge. But meanwhile all his former friends have abandoned him, he is a ruined man and his role is played out. He is scoffed at and insulted by all. The socialists are going hand in hand with the anti-Semites in this respect, and they have the support of some converted Austrian Jews. The converted Jew and anti-Semite. Dr. Zieghart is now throwing stones at his friend Castilani, because the latter in spite of being a proselyte always disliked the converted Jews and retained his affection for his people. (It is said Castilani was planning to return to Judaism and he contributed large sums to Jewish causes, including the Keren Hayesod.)
Only Rothschild’s and Bazel’s banks exhibit any friendship to Castilani and they are the only ones who are endeavoring to help him out of his trouble.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
