The Jewish problem, present throughout history, has assumed a particular character to-day--it is the character of a sharp reaction against the old pretence that Jews were identical with the nations in which they happened to live--it first took the form of irritation only--it was suddenly exasperated in a very high degree by the Jewish revolution in Russia--but long before this the increasing power of Jews in public life, the anti-Semitic writing on the Continent, the Dreyfus agitation, the South African War, and the Jewish leadership of Socialism had prepared the way--The situation on the outbreak of the Great War--Bolshevism--a short description to be expanded in a later chapter--Bolshevism is a Jewish movement, _but not a movement of the Jewish race as a whole_--its particular effect was to release criticism of Jewish power which had hitherto been silent from fear of, or sympathy with, Capitalism. Men hesitated to attack the Jews as financiers because the stability of society and of their own fortunes was bound up with finance--but when a body of Jews also appeared as the active enemies of existing society and of private fortune, the restraint was removed--since the Bolshevist movement open (and hostile) discussion of the Jewish problem has become universal. CHAPTER IV THE GENERAL CAUSES OF FRICTION 69 The strain between Jewry and its hosts in Islam and Christendom much older than any modern cause can account for--the true causes are both general and particular--I call those _general_ which are ineradicable and proceed from the contrasting natures of the two races, _particular_ those which depend upon the will on either side and can be modified to the advantage of both. The general cause of friction being a contrast in fundamental character, we note that the common accusations brought against Jews are false, as are the common praises given him by those not of the race.--In each case what has to be noted is not a series of virtues or vices special to the Jew, but the racial character or tone of each quality. These examined--the Jewish courage--examples--the Jewish generosity--the strength of Jewish patriotism--the consequent indifference to our national feelings--accusations arising therefrom, especially in time of war--the Jewish power of concentration--of eloquence--the Jewish tendency to "push" a Jewish success and hide a Jewish failure or danger--the evil effects of this tendency in our mutual relations. The poverty of the Jewish people--false effect produced by a few great Jewish fortunes--the instability of these--cringing of wealthy Europeans to Jewish money-dealers--dependence of our politicians on wealthy Jews--evil effect of this in the attempt to regulate domestic affairs of Eastern Europe. The ill effect of the partially Jewish financial monopoly--especially with Parliamentary corruption as pronounced as it is to-day. CHAPTER V THE SPECIAL CAUSES OF FRICTION 99