Polish-Jewish Relations: 1,300 Keyword-Phrase-Indexed Book Reviews (by Jan Peczkis)

Poland of To-Day and Yesterday, by Nevin O. Winter. 1913. L. C. Page & Company, Boston

Creative Polish Defiance Against the Tsar. Jewish Misconduct 

The author of this 1913 book was an American historian who, despite his generally pro-Jewish mindset, offers valuable insights into both Poles and Jews in Poland’s partitioned state. This review largely consists of direct quotations from the author, and the first quote shows creative Polish defiance of Russian rule:

“When general mourning was ordered for [tsar] Alexander III, the people of Warsaw tied bits of crape to the tails of their dogs. As the Polish colors of red and white are forbidden, they will fly the Danish flag, which is a white cross on a red ground, and can be folded so as to represent the Polish flag.” (p. 232). Bravo, Poles!

—

JEWS AND SLAVERY

“In the eleventh century the historical records show that a number of Jews were living in Gnenen [Gniezno]. Some of them were rich and owned Christian slaves, as the wife of the king spent large sums of money in purchasing the liberty of these slaves….[In time]…they [Jews] were not allowed to keep Christian servants.” (pp. 281-282).

WERE JEWS FORCED INTO COMMERCE? AN OPEN MATTER

“Whether through choice, or the restrictions that have been placed upon him, the Polish Jew has lost his primitive taste for agriculture, and is interested in barter and trade.” (p. 287).

JEWISH PARASITISM AND PUSHINESS. ONEROUS USURY

“But they [Jews] seem to have no public spirit, as though they preferred a parasitic existence. They have started no industries, preferring to exist only as dealers or middlemen. Haggling and bargaining is heard everywhere, even in the synagogues…” [p. 288] [Decades later, Hitler said much the same.]

They [Jews originally] were allowed to charge as much as twenty-five percent usury.” (p. 282).

“Israelites are really walking department stores. They will sell you a paper of pins, or a fur cap…and sometimes they almost drive you mad with their importunities.” (pp. 180-181).

[Jews in Vilna]…live by the same sharp dealing as they do in Warsaw.” (p. 242).

[Re: Jews: Smuggling and Bribing]. “…a regular contraband trade in merchandize and persons without passports is carried on. Many Jews are engaged in this business. There is an element of risk…but…the Jew smuggler knows the power of the ruble and the susceptibility of the underpaid Russian.” (p. 237-238).

For more on the repulsive Jewish economic habits, see:

https://www.jewsandpolesdatabase.org/2019/11/04/jewish-polish-relations-two-sides-pennell/

https://www.jewsandpolesdatabase.org/2026/09/10/poland-under-jews-and-prussians/

CENTURIES-OLD PERSISTENT JEWISH SEPARATISM

“They [Jews] live as a race apart, although they have dwelt among their Polish neighbors for several centuries.” (p. 179).

[Re:Yiddish] “The Orthodox Jews use Polish or Russian only when they are compelled to do so by the exigencies of trade. It has helped to preserve the feeling of exclusiveness.” (p. 299).

JEWISH VIOLENCE AND JEWISH SUBVERSIVES: THE EMBRYONIC ZYDOKOMUNA BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION of 1917

“…in Russia one finds the Jewish Bund is one of the most active revolutionary societies in that turbulent empire…The Bund works with the mystery characteristic of the East; many hated police officers and government officials have become its victims. Its ultimate aim is the overthrow of tsardom…Strikes of workmen have been instigated by it, and efforts have been made to stir up disaffection in the army and navy.” (p. 296)