George Bernard Shaw has every reason to be an enemy of Hitler’s politics, he says in a letter to the Europaische Revue, published by Prince Karl Anton Rohan. Nevertheless, he continues, he is enthusiastice about Germany’s withdrawal from the League of Nations and is an admirer of Hitler’s manoeuvers.
The dramatist’s letter was written in reply to the Revue’s questionnaire, submitted to a number of celebrated persons, on Germany’s exit from the League of Nations. In order that his opinion may not be regarded as being that of a prejudiced individual, Shaw adds in his well-known sarcastic manner:
“I must add, that personally I have the most serious grounds for opposition to the Nazi government. My success in Germany was created by Jewish enterprise and Jewish enthusiasm for art. Einstein is my personal friend and a personality of such world importance that I hope the Chancellor will not only rehabilitate him in Germany with apologies, but that he will also present him with a Stradivarius in a golden violin-case and a completely and richly-furnished villa in the most beautiful neighborhood of the fatherland! My books are taboo in Germany and my plays are hissed off the stage to the cry of: “Down with that Jew Shaw”! Obviously Hitler believes that the Irish are one of the lost tribes of Israel.”
If therefore, Shaw concludes, he actually acknowledges Hitler, it is merely proof that it is the cause in question which decides the matter.
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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.
