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By Root 626 0

Von Epp, he felt that Hitler could bring the German people to their peak position in history. Like most of the German people, he willingly chose to be a part of this “march to destiny.” He accepted the traditional German obedience to authority without question. He desired to be a large and important man and he became what he desired. Alfred Funk had a few qualms at first about Nazi methods but soon realized that the political tyranny of the concentration camps, the abolition of civil liberties, and the destruction of the intellectual opposition were merely fundamentals clearing the path for this Greater Germany. He became a deputy of tyranny with conviction. The tools of tyranny were not questions in his mind—only the best methods of using them.

Golden hair, trim body, Alfred Funk was a man of undeniable strength who was able to impose his authority. As the master blueprints came from Berlin from Heydrich and Eichmann of the 4B section of Gestapo, Oberführer Funk received the position of special liaison to Globocnik in Lublin.

When Emanuel Goldman was summoned to the city hall to see Oberführer Alfred Funk, he had already surmised Funk’s mission in Warsaw.

Funk spoke impassively. “We are concerned about the unsanitary habits of Jews. Your homes are filled with lice. Lice cause typhus.”

Funk was, indeed, starting on an interesting tack, Goldman thought. “I am not a doctor like the eminent Franz Koenig,” Goldman answered curtly, “but your regulations denying us sanitary facilities are the cause of the outbreak of lice.”

Funk stared. He did not blink or budge. The old man is tough.

The Nazi picked up a paper. “Our facts scientifically prove otherwise. Everyone knows Jews are filthy. Look at those bearded people. A perfect nesting place for lice.”

“We didn’t have a bit of trouble with them in the past,” Goldman answered.

“But there’s trouble now, isn’t there, Goldman? Now, Goldman, I want your Civil Authority to help us protect the citizens of Warsaw. Have this Orphans and Self-Help Society of yours set up delousing sheds. Each Jew will get a stamped card when he is deloused. He will have to have the card in order to receive rations. We will carry out extensive inspections of personal dwellings in order to stamp out this scourge.”

You mean looting parties under the guise of medical inspection, Goldman thought.

“In order to control this condition which the Jews have brought on Warsaw, we have blacked out certain areas of the city which will be under quarantine.”

Goldman knew ... here it comes.

“All Jews must move into the quarantine area within two weeks under punishment of death.” He shoved a map of Warsaw over his desk at the old man. It was blacked out from the northern rail bridge below Zoliborz down to Jerusalem Boulevard. The eastern boundary was a zigzag line past the Saxony Gardens, and the western boundary roughly in a line with the Jewish and Catholic cemeteries. Funk was watching him. There was no use arguing with the German.

“Goldman,” Funk continued, “you do agree we are at war with the Jews.”

“I cannot disagree.”

“Therefore, we consider that Jewish property, personal and otherwise, is legitimate booty—spoils of war. Therefore, when the move is completed into the quarantine area, you will begin a registration of all Jewish property. I have appointed Dr. Koenig as registrar and custodian of Jewish property. That goes for business inventories, bank accounts, jewels, furs, et cetera, et cetera.”

Koenig! My, he has come up in the world. ...

“One final thing, Goldman. Because you Jews have imposed these deplorable dangers and have consistently disobeyed our directives, we are fining all the Jews three hundred thousand zlotys. We are holding fifty people in Pawiak Prison to assure payment of the fine within a week. Your Civil Authority is expected to make the collection. You are to draft directives covering the things we have discussed and you will return here tomorrow for me to study them.”

When Goldman returned to the Civil Authority building at Grzybowska 28, he summoned the board immediately. Goldman