Hitler's Table Talk

128 DIVISION OF LABOUR IN EUROPE
completely mad to transfer all their money to America. They
won't see it again !
The conversations we've just had with the Danes have had a
considerable effect. A company has just been formed in Denmark
to share in the exploitation of the Eastern territories.
We're thus creating bases for Europe.
One day I received a visit from a big Belgian industrialist
who saw no way out of the problems confronting him. If he
was simply reasonable, he said, he would close his factory. He
was caught in the dilemma: a desire to continue an enterprise
created by his father, and a fear of the reproaches he would
have to heap upon himself if he persevered. Belgium, Holland,
Norway will have no more unemployed.
England is beginning to take heed of the situation. If we
increase agricultural production in the Ukraine by only 50 per
cent, we provide bread for twenty-five to thirty million more
people. To increase the production of the Ukraine by 50 per cent
is a trifle, for it would still be 30 per cent lower than the average
production of the soil in Germany. The same point of view is
equally applicable to the Baltic countries and White Russia,
which also have a surplus production. It would be ridiculous
not to put some sort of order into this continent.
Our economy must be organised with care. But it will be
prudent not to become too far involved in motorisation. The
solution of the problem of meat and fat is at the same time that
of the problem of leather and manures.
On one side, we have in Europe highly civilised peoples who
are reduced to breaking their stones for themselves. On the
other side, we have at our disposal those stupid masses in the
East. It's for these masses to perform our humbler tasks.
Thus the native population of the East will be better fed than
it has ever been hitherto—and it will also receive the household
utensils it needs.
The alluvial deposits on the shores of the North Sea are the
best manure in the world. The nuisance is, transport is expensive,
and besides, who are the men who will go and collect
these deposits? I have a hundred and fifty thousand convicts
who are making list slippers! One day Himmler will be our
biggest industrialist.