59
AT THE ROUND TABLE in his library, Adolf Hitler awaited Hermann Goring’s explanation of the proposal as his fingers mined a dish of pralines on the table, popping them into his mouth one at a time. Though recently turned vegetarian, he still tended to gorge himself on sweets and salty snacks.
“Yes, mein Führer,” said Hermann Goring, the heavyset war pilot, opening a file before him. “I will be happy to explain the proposal.”
The other men sitting around the table—Rudolf Hess, Martin Bormann, Joseph Goebbels, and Heinrich Himmler—sat quietly, friction in particular between Himmler, the true believer, and Goebbels, the strategist.
Goring cleared his throat. “First, of course, the Citizenship Law: only people of true German blood will be citizens of the Reich. Jews will not count as citizens.”
“Obviously,” said Hitler.
“Marriages between Germans and Jews will be illegal,” Goring went on. “Marriages between Germans and Jews already consummated will not be recognized. And naturally, extramarital relations between Jews and German citizens will be illegal as well.”
“Hear, hear,” said Hitler. “That day cannot come soon enough.”
“Jews will not be allowed to display the German flag or German colors. They will not be permitted to vote or hold office. They will not be allowed to hold any position of civil service whatsoever.”
“A good start,” said Hitler. “Now Joseph will preach caution in rolling out these changes. He will fear reprisals should we act too quickly.”
“Indeed I will, mein Führer,” Goebbels agreed.
“We must begin with restraint. We must appear moderate. We will ease in a few restrictions and allow the citizenry to become comfortable with them. Then we will add to them. It cannot happen all at once or we risk a backlash. But it will not be long, mein Führer, before we will eradicate Jews from all societal positions.”
“Perhaps, Joseph, but some things must happen immediately. The practice of medicine, for example. And law. We don’t need these vermin infecting our system of justice or contaminating our children any longer.”
Goring raised a hand, reasserting himself.
“Gradually—at whatever rate you see proper, mein Führer—we will extend these laws to their logical conclusion. No Jews owning any business. No Jews in the public schools, either as students or teachers. No Jews in the cinema, the opera, concerts, restaurants—public life in general. They will be stripped of all rights and liberties.”
“Yes, yes!” Hitler raised his fist.
“The criminal laws will likewise distinguish between crimes committed against German citizens, which will be prosecuted harshly, and those committed against the Jews, which will not.”
Hitler gently pounded the table. “Excellent.”
“But then the more difficult question of how we define the Jew,” said Goring. “As we have currently drafted it, an individual with three Jewish grandparents is a Jew.”
“Naturally. But what of the mischlinge?” asked Hitler, a word that politely translated to people of mixed race but more colloquially meant mongrels.
“We will divide into mischlinge of the first and second degree,” said Goring.
“An individual with only one Jewish grandparent is a mischling of the second degree. The initial thought is that this individual will be eligible for German citizenship and will not be considered a Jew, provided they denounce their faith, of course.”
“Too lenient.” Himmler shook his head. “How can we ensure the purity of our blood if we allow someone with any Jewish grandparents to propagate with pure Germans?”
“Noted, Heinrich.” Hitler raised a calming hand. “Go on, Hermann.”
“Mischlinge of the first degree—those with two Jewish grandparents—that is our question. The thought is that they will not be considered Jews unless they marry a Jew or practice Judaism. Others would say we should simply declare this person a Jew.”
Himmler started to speak but realized his place.
Hitler reached over to Himmler and placed a hand on his arm. “Your heart and your head are in the right place, Heinrich. This will become law. Precisely when we unveil this plan is something I will decide. Certainly not now. I am not yet even chancellor.”
Hitler rose, standing at his seat.
“Let us first take power,” he continued. “Let us first purge our enemies. Let us control all the levers of power—the government, the media, all channels of information. Then we will appraise the state of affairs.
“But until then, gentlemen, we must appear moderate. We must keep our true plans utterly and completely confidential. I am the wolf, am I not?”
“Yes, mein Führer,” the men at the table answered in perfect sync.
“Well, for now,” said Hitler, “I shall remain a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”