Chapter 46: Adjusting the Approach to the Jewish Question
"Actually, I have no deep hatred for individual Jews, let alone personal holidays. All my past policies are entirely based on uniting the whole German people and considering the Jewish issue in order to seek the foundation of long-term stability of the empire." Hoffmann stared at Ribbentrop, "I discussed with Sperl that the Jewish race has committed unforgivable crimes against the empire in history, so everyone must serve labor and atone for the country, and each person must undergo three years of unpaid labor reform. As necessary political propaganda, Jews under 13 do not need to serve, and as long as their parents complete service, they can leave simultaneously, and the labor service time of minors over 13 years and under 18 years old is reduced by half. If someone is willing to bear the results of labor for them, we can directly pardon the individual."
Ribin Troop felt that he could not keep up with the head of state, and he asked carefully: "You mean that as long as someone is willing to pay, they can take the Jews they want?"
"Your explanation is too low, it sounds like we are a kidnapping group, and it should be said... "Hoffman frowned. "If anyone is willing to take on this labor process for the Jews or bear it with appropriate economic results, the designated Jews can be immediately pardoned and leave the country wherever he wants to go."
"What does this appropriate economic outcome mean?" The Foreign Minister, who was a champagne dealer, finally fully understood Hoffman's intentions and immediately asked about the "lower price" of the transaction.
"We don't want money and only physical objects. These physical objects can be 1 kilogram of gold, 20 kilograms of silver, 1 ton of rubber, 5 ton of gasoline, 10 ton of steel or 20 ton of grain..." Hoffman told Ribin Troop, "You should contact several neutral countries secretly, such as Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, and communicate with the Jewish community in the United Kingdom and the United States through this method. Anyway, you have channels, right? At the beginning, you should avoid direct contact with the British and American governments. The locations for the exchange of materials and personnel can be located in Spain or Turkey, and representatives from both sides will be sent to hand over."
"Can they promise this?" Ribintrop felt that the head of state's method was a bit whimsical. Among the materials listed just now, gold and silver would help improve the government's economic situation. Rubber, gasoline, steel and grain are all materials that can be used directly for war purposes. Britain and the United States have been strictly enforcing the blockade strategy against Germany, and can they watch Jewish communities deliver these materials to Germany?
"This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone. As long as the Jewish community agrees, the British and American governments will be in a dilemma: if we agree to pay, we will get a lot of supplies. If we don't agree to pay, we will obviously offend the Jews. Democratic politicians care about the votes." Hoffmann pointed out to Ribin Tropp, "The Jewish people repeatedly claim to be united. If they cannot save their own people, this national spirit and political propaganda will inevitably be self-defeating. So even if the British and American governments do not agree, they will secretly reach an agreement with us privately. Doing such things will not harm us at all. No matter who it is, as long as he is willing to pay these costs, he can take the Jews away."
"The head of state is wise." Ribin Tropp gave a thumbs up, "and suddenly took the initiative in dealing with the Jewish issue in his own hands. Compared with Comrade Himmler's method, your method is not only brilliant but also more exemplary."
"Don't flatter you, I know what you're thinking. Don't worry that Himmler will cause trouble for you. I will agree with him." Hoffman saw through Ribin Troop's trick at first sight. "But you have to be careful. This matter must not leak the news and cause a lot of controversy, otherwise the old comrades in the party will not spare you."
Ribin Troop smiled embarrassedly and said, "Please rest assured, I will keep the secret strictly, just as strict as signing the "Non-aggression Treaty" with Stalin."
Not long after Ribin Troop left, the figure of Propaganda Minister Goebbels flashed out of the lounge behind.
"Have you heard the conversation just now?"
"I heard it." Goebbels nodded, "I heard it more clearly."
"What do you think about this, or how do you think of Ribin Tropp."
"Ribbintrop is still loyal to the head of state..." Goebel carefully used the words, "He is not as ambitious as Goering, he is arrogant, and does not interfere in affairs that are not under his jurisdiction. During this period, his performance was entirely because the head of state praised him twice in public - which made him a little proud and unable to figure out his identity." The poor Foreign Minister still does not understand the reason for this scolding today, which is entirely because he has been so proud of recently. In fact, as long as he thinks about it, he should think that important diplomatic positions such as the ambassador to Italy and the Secretary of State can never be determined by the rights of the Minister of State. At most, he is a leadership responsibility for ineffective implementation of confidentiality regulations. The reason why Hoffmann beat Ribbintrop was, on the one hand, to conform to "public opinion", and on the other hand, it was nothing more than to encourage him to complete those three tasks.
"What the doctor said is that the responsibility lies with me?"
"Of course not! You praise him and appreciate him is the affirmation of the subordinates as a leader. You criticize him and scold him because he has problems in his work and has flaws in his personality." Goebbels answered calmly, "Whether it is praise or criticism, it reflects the care and love of the head of state for his subordinates, but they sometimes cannot understand it."
Hoffman laughed. Those who can be the minister of propaganda are indeed extraordinary. Goebbels' words appeared to cater to the leader without principles, but in fact they pointed out a question: What should the people below do if the head of state cannot understand the changes in the opinions of the Jews in the handling of the Jews?
"Tell me what you know."
"This incident is a good thing for Comrade Ribintrop personally. With the encouragement and encouragement of the head of state, he can change his mental state that is too showy, too frivolous, too domineering, which will be beneficial to his future development, but for the party and the country..." Goebbels paused, "I'm afraid it will cause great controversy. After all, the previous propaganda and arguments and your usual views were not the case. It will take time to return from the original standpoint."
"I originally said that I would completely eliminate Jewish individuals or ethnic groups?"
"No! But..." Goebbels lowered his voice and said, "The Wanhu Conference, led by Heidrich in January, once had a relatively consistent conclusion on the final solution of the Jewish issue. Many people have seen that minute. Although it has been covered up and modified, those who know the inside story know what its essence is. And we not only say that, but also do it - otherwise what do you think Comrade Himmler's concentration camp is doing recently?"
"It's really damn. Heidrich used the trust I gave him to send such a wrong signal to the party." Hoffmann was always not interested in Reinhard Heidrich's genocide policy, but now since he is the head of state, it is difficult for him to suddenly change his attitude towards the Jews. What's more, Heidrich has died under the Czech resistance organization, and the current specific executor is Himmler.
"My personal point of view is that Comrade Himmler is very concerned about the Jewish issue. Although there are ideological and national emotions in it, it is not because of this that ultimately drives this ambition. He is just used to loyalty and thoroughly implementing the instructions of the head of state, otherwise he would not be absent from the Wanhu Conference."
"You mean I can and should have him change his mind?"
"Of course, you are the head of state." Goebbels smiled, "What's more, what we have changed is not the question of Jewish racial profiling. What we have changed is only the opinions on their handling. This opinion has been changed many times - the methods we just came to power to implement are obviously different from those we are now, and even the ideas before the Battle of Poland are different from those we are now. In short, from 1933 to the present, our party's attitude towards Jews has always been consistent, but the specific measures and strategies can change with the changes in the objective environment and situation, and it will not be difficult to change them again."
"Very good, this can solve a lot of problems." Hoffman took out a map, marking the mines he had recently meditated, waiting for development in the areas controlled by the Third Reich. "These minerals are urgently needed by war but extremely lacking in manpower."
"There is a more appropriate reason to change the strategy. I suggest that the Head of State talk to Comrade Himmler seriously and he will change his attitude. As long as we reach an agreement within the party, this attitude will be easily accepted by the public voice of the propaganda agencies and the government."
"Doctor, you have helped me a lot." Hoffman patted the other person's shoulder and sighed.
Finally having the opportunity to change the infamous genocide policy, Hoffman felt much more happy, and the mental pressure and moral burden of traveling through time have also been reduced a lot.
Chapter completed!