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Wednesday, April 14, 2021

A joke from 1930

This joke is taken from The Gentleman In The Parlour, a 1930 book by by William Somerset Maugham:

 It appears that on one occasion Monsieur Paderewski was pressing upon Mr. Wilson, Mr. Lloyd George and Monsieur Clemenceau the Polish claims on Danzig. 

“ If the Poles do not get it," he said, “ I warn you that their disappointment will be so great, there will be an outbreak and they will assassinate the Jews.” 

Mr. Wilson looked grave, Mr. Lloyd George shook his head and M. Clemenceau frowned. 

"But what will happen if the Poles get Danzig? ” asked Mr. Wilson. 

M. Paderewski brightened. He shook his leonine mane. 

“ Ah, that will be quite another thing,” he replied. "Their enthusiasm will be so great, there will be an 
outbreak and they will assassinate the Jews.”