Affidavit concerning Germany's foreign policy in the 1930s, including territorial expansion, Hitler's confidence in von Neurath, and von Papen's role in the takeover of Austria

AFFIDAVIT Statement of
Gesandter Paul Otto Gustav Schmidt
I, Paul Otto Gustav Schmidt, being first duly sworn on oath, state :
1. I was an interpreter in the German Foreign Office from 1923-1945. Prior to 1939, my duties consisted of interpreting and keeping the minutes of discussions at diplomatic conferences. Beginning in 1924 my primary assignments at diplomatic discussions included the following:
1924 Conference of Stressemann and Herriot at London concerning Dawes Plan.
1924-1927 German-French trade negotiations in Paris.
1925 Locarno meetings.
1926 Meeting of League of Nations Assembly, Council and economic committees.
1927 World Economic Conference at Geneva.
1929 Hagué Conference for final approval of Young Plan.
1930 Paris trade negotiations in reference to Saar, and other economic conferences.
1930ff International cartel meetings.
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1931 Laval visit to Berlin.
Six Power Conference in London on economic matters. Visit of Bruening and Curtis to London.
1932 Geneva Disarmament Conference.
1933 League of Nations Assembly; other conferences in London.
1933-1935 Meetings of German and French trade delegations.
1935 Visit of Eden, and Simon to Berlin.
I was first called to interpret for Hitler in connection with the 1935 visit of Simon and Eden to Berlin. In fact, I served at virtually every meeting at which Hitler and Ribbentrop participated, and was with Goering when important visitors called and when he represented Germany in diplomatic conferences abroad. In recognition of these services, I .was made councillor of Legation in 1935, Minister II Class after Munich, and Minister I Class after Compiegne. Since 1939, I have been Director of BRAM (Buero des Reichsaussenministers), and in 1944 I was made Chief of the POW and Civilian Internee Section.
2. Whatever success and position I have enjoyed in the Foreign Office I owe to the fact that I made it my business at all times to possess thorough familiarity with the subject matter under discussion, and I endeavored to achieve intimate knowledge of the mentality of Hitler and the other leaders. Throughout the Hitler regime, I constantly endeavored to keep myself apprised as to what was going on in the Foreign Office and in related organizations, and I enjoyed such a position that it was possible to have ready access to key officials and to key personnel in their offices.
3. The general objectives of the Nazi leadership were apparent from the start—namely, the domination of the European continent, to be achieved, first, by the incorporation of all Germanspeaking groups in the Reich, and secondly, by territorial expansion under the slogan of "Lebensraum". The execution of these basic objectives, however, seemed to be characterized by improvisation. Each succeeding step apparently was carried out as each new situation arose, but all consistent with the ultimate objectives mentioned above.
4. The attempted putsch in Austria and the murder of Dollfuss on 25 July 1934 seriously disturbed the career personnel of the Foreign Office because these events discredited Germany in the eyes of the world. It was common knowledge that the putsch had been engineered by the Party, and the fact that the attempted
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putsch followed so closely on the heels of the blood purge within Germany could not help but suggest the similarity of Nazi methods both in foreign and in domestic policy. This concern over the repercussions of the attempted putsch was soon heightened by a recognition of the fact that these episodes were of influence in leading to the Franco-Soviet Consultative Pact of 5 December 1934, a defensive arrangement which was not heeded as a warning by the Nazis.
5. The announcement in March of the establishment of a German Air Force and of the introduction of conscription was followed on 2 May 1935 by the conclusion of a mutual assistance pact between France and the Soviet Union. The career personnel of the Foreign Office regarded this as a further very serious warning as to the potential consequences of German foreign policy, but the Nazi leaders only stiffened their attitude toward the Western Powers, declaring that they were not going to be intimidated. At this time, the career officials at least expressed their reservations to the Foreign Minister, Neurath. I do not know whether or not Neurath in turn related these expressions of concern to Hitler.
6. The re-entry of the German military forces into the Rhineland was preceded by Nazi diplomatic preparation in February. A German communique of 21 Feb 1936 reaffirmed that the French-Soviet Pact of mutual assistance was incompatible with the Locarno Treaties and the Covenant of the League. On the same day Hitler argued in an interview that no real grounds existed for conflict between Germany and France. Considered against the background statements in MEIN KAMPF offensive to France, the circumstances were such to suggest that the stage was being set for justifying some future act. I do not know how far in advance the march into the Rhineland was decided upon. I personally knew about it, and discussed it, approximately 2 or 3 weeks before it occurred. Considerable fear had been expressed, particularly in military circles, concerning the risk of this undertaking. Similar fears were felt by many in the Foreign Office. It was common knowledge in the Foreign Office, however, that Neurath was the only person in government circles consulted by Hitler who felt confident that the Rhineland could be remilitarized without armed opposition from Britain and France. Neu-rath's position throughout this period was one which would induce Hitler to have more faith in Neurath than in the general run of "old school" diplomats, whom he (Hitler) tended to hold in disrespect.
7. Although Italy did not consult Germany prior to commencement of its war against Ethiopia, the Nazi policy makers were
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pleased with this technique for handling international affairs. They saw also the possibility in this war to draw Italy away from Britain and France toward Germany, as well as the possibility of its undermining the collective security system of the League of Nations. The career officials in the Foreign Office were very much concerned with the possibility of strong sanctions being applied, particularly if the war should be seized as an opportunity to apply pressure on the Fascist dictators. In this conflict, Germany gave assurances that it would assist Italy, economically, to the utmost. This was done in the beginning of the discussions regarding sanctions. I am unfamiliar with the details of the assistance granted, but it is probable that these matters were settled through the German commercial attache in Rome or by means of trade delegations. .
8. Plans for annexation of Austria were a part of the Nazi program from the beginning. Italian opposition after the murder of Dollfuss temporarily, forced a more careful approach to this problem, but the application of sanctions against Italy by the League, plus the rapid increase of German military strength, made safer the resumption of the Austrian program. When Goering visited Rome early in 1937, he declared that union of Austria and Germany was inevitable and could be expected sooner or later. Mussolini, hearing these words in German, remained silent, and protested only mildly when I translated them into French. The consummation of the Anschluss was essentially a party matter, in which von Papen's role was to preserve smooth diplomatic relations on the surface while the Party used more devious ways of preparing conditions for the expected move. The speech delivered by Papen on 18 Feb 1938, following the Berchtesgaden meeting, interpreted the Berchtesgaden agreement as the first step toward the establishment of a Central European commonwealth under the leadership of Germany. This was generally recognized in the foreign office as a clear prophecy of a Greater Germany which would embrace Austria.
9. The facts stated above are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. This declaration is made by me voluntarily and without compulsion. After reading over this statement I have signed and executed the same at Oberursel/Germany this 28 day of November 1945.
[Signed] Paul Otto Gustav Schmidt
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Oberursel Germany this 28 day of November 1945.
[Signed] Rolf 'Wartenberg .
ROLF WARTENBERG 1st Lt, INF.
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COPy OF DOCUMENT 331!-PS
CHARGE No. 6
[Seal of Main Commission for the Investigation of German
Crimes in Poland]
In accordance with article 6 of thé Charter the Polish Government indicts Dr. Hans Frank, Governor General of Poland, of the following crime:
The German authorities acting under the authority of Governor General Dr. Hans Frank established in March 1942 the extermination-camp at Treblinka, intended for mass killing of Jews by suffocating them in steam-filled chambers.
Particulars of the alleged Crime
In 1949 the German authorities established in the village of Treblinka, near Malkinia close to the railway line Warsaw-Bialystok, a concentration camp for Poles who refused to deliver contingents of agricultural products ordered by the German administrative authorities. In November 1941, the District Governor of Warsaw, Dr. Fischer, proclaimed this camp as a general concentration camp for the whole district of Warsaw and ordered all Poles to be deported there who some way or other contravened against the orders or prohibitions of the German authorities. Later on this camp was named "Treblinka A".
In March 1942, the Germans began to erect another camp "Treblinka B",/in the neighbourhood of "Treblinka A"/» intended to become a place of torment for Jews.
The erection of this camp was closely connected with the German plans aiming at a complete destruction of the Jewish population in Poland which necessitated the creation of a machinery by means of which the Polish Jews could be killed in large numbers. Late in April 1942, the erection of the first three chambers was finished in which these general massacres were to be performed by means of steam. Somewhat later the erection of the real "death-building" was finished which contains ten death chambers. It was opened for wholesale murders early in autumn
1942.
It may be mentioned here that there were several phases in the development of the persecution of the Jews in Poland. During the first period/till October 1940/the Germans were aiming only at the moral degradation and complete pauperization of the Jews by all kinds of restrictions of their rights, by the confiscation of their property etc., but later on they turned to their gradual annihilation and destruction as a nation. This change of policy is apparent in their treatment of the ghettos, first they
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had only to isolate the Jews from the Aryans but later on they were/the ghettos/the very means of the physical annihilation of the Jews.
Healthier and stronger Jews were deported for forced labor while those who remained in the Ghettos were decimated by starvation and epidemics. As these methods did not produce the desired results more drastic measures were adopted. Wholesale massacres were organized in the Ghettos and, finally, a complete annihilation of the ghettos was decided upon.
The Jews had simply ceased to exist. Special camps were established for this purpose where the destruction of human lives was carried on by mechanized means. The best known of these death camps are those of Treblinka, Belzec and Sobiber /in the Lublin district/. In these camps the Jews were put to death in their thousands by hitherto unknown, new methods, gas and steam chambers as well as electric current employed on a large scale. The victims were recruited chiefly from the General Government, and particularly from the following districts: Warsaw, Radom, Lublin, Krakow and Lwow, but Jews from outside the General Government were also sent there, particularly from the Bialystok district where the Ghettos were maintained for a long time and where in the summer months of 1943 about 10,000 Jews were rounded up and transported to Treblinka for extermination.
The main part of the "work" was done in summer and autumn 1942. Winter 1942 and the year 1943 were used for "mopping up operations", i.e. for the extermination of those who managed to dodge the main round-up and, of those younger Jews who were employed in war industry. To indulge in their lust for destruction the Germans did not hesitate to put to death even those younger Jews although their man-power was badly needed and their loss —as admitted by the Germans themselves—was a serious handicap for the war effort.
The Camp B of Treblinka is situated in hilly, wooded country. It covered an area of about 5,000 ha /8 square miles/ and was fenced off by hedges and barbed wire. It is bordered in the north by a young forest, in the west by a railway embankment while low hills shut it off from the East and South. There are several observation posts in the camp for the camp guard, as well as searchlights need for securing the camp during the hours of darkness. A side track leads from the main railway track on to a loading platform adjoining a large open place fenced off by barbed wire, where several thousands persons can be accommodated at the same time. To the north stands a large barrack and in the south-
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western corner an observation post. The place to the south of the barbed wire fence was used for sorting out pieces of clothes of the victims which were fit for further use [Lumpensortierungsplatz]. Further to the south is the place of execution and a mass grave. A gate opens from the place to a road leading to the buildings and one of them is divided by a narrow corridor into two parts and measures approx. 40 yards by 25 yards. On each side of the corridor are situated five chambers whose height is about 6 and a half feet. There are no windows. The doors can be shut hermetically.
The second building consists of three chambers and a boiler-room. The steam generated in the boilers is led by means of pipes to the chambers. There are terraceta floors in the chambers which become very slippery when wet. Along the southern wall of the building runs a long platform where the bodies of the victims were piled up after execution. A well is situated near the boiler-room.
Behind this building and separated from the rest of the camp by barbed wire stands a barrack and a kitchen destined for the grave diggers. On both sides of these buildings are situated observation posts. As the executions grew in numbers, mass graves were dug out by motor driven machines and not by hand and shovel as in the beginning.
The camp was guarded by Germans of the SS-detachments and by Ukrainians. The officer to whom this guard was subordinated was the SS-Capt. Sauer. This garrison [Legerschuiz] performed also duties of executioners, while menial services had to be performed by the inmates of the camps themselves, so e.g. the unloading of the trucks, stripping of the victims and sorting out of their clothes and shoes [Lumpensortierung] the emptying of the death chambers and the burying of the bodies. When a new transport arrived some of the Jews were picked out to do this work so long till they broke down morally under the impression of this organized and mechanized mass murder. Then they had to dig their own graves and take up their position at them, whereupon they were shot one by one by Sauer personally. Their last duty before dying was to push the body of the preceding, victim into its own grave. A new party was then chosen to continue their work in the camp. The sadism of Sauer in enjoying the shooting personally sounds incredible, but his guilt has been established beyond any doubt.
The average number of Jews dealt with at the camp in summer 1942 was about two railway transports daily, but there were days
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of much higher efficiency. From autumn 1942 this number was falling.
After unloading in the siding all victims were assembled in one place where men were separated from women and children. In the first days of the existence of the camp the victims were made to believe that after a short stay in the camp, necessary for bathing and disinfection, they would be sent farther east, for work. Explanations of this sort were given by SS men who assisted at the unloading of the transports and further explanations could be read in notices stuck up on the walls of the barracks. But later, when more transports had to be dealt with, the Germans dropped all pretences and only tried to accelerate the procedure.
All victims had to strip off their clothes and shoes, which were collected afterwards, whereupon all victims, women and children first, were driven into the death chambers. Those too slow or too weak to move quickly were driven on by rifle butts, by whipping and kicking, often by Sauer himself. Many slipped and fell, the next victims pressed forward and stumbled over them. Small children were simply thrown inside. After being filled up to capacity the chambers were hermetically closed and steam was let in. In a few minutes all was over. The Jewish menial workers had to remove the bodies from the platform and to bury them in mass graves. By and by, as new transports arrived, the cemetery grew extending in eastern direction.
From reports received it may be assumed that several hundred thousands of Jews have been exterminated in Treblinka. Exact figures are impossible to obtain as the Germans didjiot bother to keep any records concerning, the number of Jews deported to this camp and killed there. It will be even impossible to establish some correct figures because as early as spring 1943 the Germans began to exhume the bodies and to burn them so as to destroy all evidence of the crimes perpetrated. These exhumations continued until summer 1943, when the victims were able to start a mutiny and to kill some of the guards enabling thus several hundred Jews to escape from the camp.
The above description of the mass murders in Treblinka gives only a faint idea of the horrors which prevailed in the camp. It is practically impossible to imagine the sufferings of the victims in the camp and to grasp the full extent of the atrocities. For the victims transported to the camp in cattle trucks and exposed for several days to the most cruel sufferings of body and soul, death in the steam chambers must have almost come as a welcome
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relief. Their only crime consisted in the fact of belonging to a race condemned by Hitler to death.
The responsibility of Dr. Hans Frank for the setting up of the camp at Treblinka and for the mass killings described above is inherent to his official position as Governor General of Poland.
The camp could not be set up without either his direct order or, at least, his approval, and the numbers of people killed there clearly indicate, that these atrocities were elements of a systematic policy of extermination. All those connected with the "liquidation" of ghettos and of the Jews themselves took their orders from the Governor General.
[Seal of Main Commission for the Investigation of German Crimes in Poland]
CERTIFICATE
This will certify that the document entitled "Charge No. 6, Camp of Treblinka", concerning the extermination of Jews in this camp, is hereby officially submitted by the Polish Government to the International Military Tribunal by the undersigned under the provisions set forth in Article 21 of the Charter,
/S/ Dr. Cyprian Dr. Tadeusz Cyprian
Polish Deputy Representative of the United Nations War Crimes Commission in London [Seal of Main Commission for the Investigation of German
Crimes in Poland]
Nürnberg, the 5th December, 1945
★ U. 8. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1940—089904
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