In 1904, Russia got into a war with Japan.

The two countries disputed over east Asian possessions; it escalated. The war was supposed to be a foregone conclusion. Russia, with all its imperial might, was facing off against a backwards island nation. Well, Japan won. And they won thanks to a Jew.

No, Jacob Schiff wasn't a Japanese Jew. He was a German-born American, one of the richest men in the US, a leading, influential force on Wall Street. He financed the Japanese army during the war to the tune of half their funds. One could only guess how it would have gone without him.

So why did Schiff help out the Japanese? Turns out that he really, really hated Russia and its antisemitic policies.

Sometimes, what goes around, comes around, right, Russia?...