Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe Page #2

But the flag that we raise

is of immense significance.

It stands for freedom of thought,

freedom of expression,

and international understanding.

It is the white flag.

And today, more than ever,

I am its loyal bearer.

On August 26th...

- Excuse me.

Sefior Zweig,

you and your colleague Emil Ludwig

are the only representatives

of German literature at this congress.

What do you think

about the latest events in Germany?

I haven't been to Germany for four years.

But you follow the events,

you're in contact

with people who left Germany?

People who have left Germany

or only go to visit

cannot really know what's happening there.

Whether new alliances are forming

that may turn everything upside down.

I just spent ten days in Brazil.

I couldn't say if the people

are satisfied with President Vargas,

even if that was my impression.

You can't compare Hitler's Germany

with a moderate government...

Gentlemen!

Calm down. One at a time.

Mr. Brainin, please.

The 8th Nuremberg Rally begins today.

I know that, Mr. Brainin.

What is your question?

Ten days ago, on August 26th,

it was announced

that military service in Germany

will be increased to two years.

They waited until the end of the Olympics

to make the announcement.

Certain conclusions can be drawn from this.

That is correct.

What conclusions do you draw, Dr. Zweig?

Predictions about Germany are impossible.

Every prediction

has turned out to be false.

I will not make any predictions.

Dr. Zweig,

I love your works,

and I love the German language.

Would you agree when I say

that Germany is preparing for war

and is on the path to barbarism?

I read the papers as you do,

and I'm tormented.

But we who cannot be radical

should not let ourselves descend to the

intellectual level of our adversaries.

I will not speak out against Germany.

I would never speak out

against any country.

And I'll make no exceptions.

So politics will have to get by

without your voice?

And, by consequence,

also the victims of politics?

The congress will discuss

the function of the writer in society.

What, in your opinion, is his function?

The intellectual

should devote himself to his works.

That is his most powerful tool.

I'm starting to hate politics, because

it's becoming the opposite of justice,

because it betrays the word

with the slogan.

To be an intellectual means to be just,

to summon up an understanding

for one's counterpart and adversaries.

An artist can create works

with political dimensions,

but cannot supply the masses

with political slogans.

My personal artistic strength

derives from the positive.

I can only write for something.

I cannot attack.

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