Lecture by Herbert Hagen of the SD, September 1938
Lecture by Herbert Hagen of the SD, September 1938
Source: German Federal Archive 58/984 pp. 98-99.
.... Goals of German policy regarding Jews. To make the Jews still living in Germany emigrate or, if this is not possible any longer because of their age, to eliminate any prospect of their having any influence. At the same time, to [exercise] control over the Jewish organisations and associations still active in Germany. Obstacles inside and outside Germany: a) Reluctance of Jews to emigrate. b) Moral support by Catholics and Confessional Church. c) The foreign currency problem. d) The share of Jewish capital in German economy. e) The plan for the establishment of a Jewish state would result, if it materialises, in the Jews becoming a political minority. Emigration is to be promoted by all means. Care for the elderly is to be arranged through Jewish welfare organisations…No Jew can establish an existence in Germany. He therefore has to emigrate if he is physically able to do so. This, however, means that even in the most favourable emigration circumstances, 200,000 Jews who are unable to emigrate because of their advanced age, will remain in Germany. Thus, in order to wind up the Jewish problem - as far as the internal political interests of German Lebensraum (living space) are concerned - there are two main issues that will determine the treatment of Jews in Germany: 1) Creation of emigration possibilities with the least possible cost to foreign currency. 2) Securing the upkeep of the remaining Jews by Jewish funds from inside or outside Germany. We can therefore state that the problem - as far as it can be grasped from within - is on its way to a final solution....
