Decree on strengthening "German folkdom" under Himmler's direction, including the return of German nationals and racial Germans, the elimination of alien influences, and the creation of new German settlements

Copy to RK 26272 B
Decree of the Fuehrer and Reichs Chancellor to strengthen German folkdom
Oct 7th 1939.
The consequences of the Versailles Treaty have been removed in Europe. Now the Greater German Reich has the possibility of admitting into its territory, Germans who had to live abroad, and to resettle them, and to arrange the settlement of the groups of people, within her sphere of interest, in a way that there will be better distinction between them. I entrust the Reichsfuehrer SS with the execution of this task according to the following regulations :
I
The Reichsfuehrer SS has the obligation in accordance with my directives:
1. to bring back for final return into the Reich all German-nationals and racial Germans in the foreign countries;
2. to eliminate the harmful influence of such alien parts of the
population, which represent a danger to the Reich and German folk community; -
3. the forming* of new German settlements by resettling and in particular by settling of the returning German citizens and racial Germans from abroad.
The Reichsfuehrer SS is authorized to take all necessary general and administrative measures for the execution of this obligation, '
496
686—PS
The Reichsfuehrer SS can assign certain living areas to the parts of the population in question in order to execute the tasks given to him in Article I, No. 2.
II
In, the occupied former Polish territories the Administration Chief of the East [Verwaltungschef Ober-Ost] carries out the tasks assigned to the Reichsfuehrer SS according to the latter's general orders. The Verwaltungschef Ober-Ost and the subordinated chiefs of administration of the military districts are responsible for the execution. Then measures have to be adjusted to the requirements of the military leadership.
Persons who a're furnished special orders in execution of this task, are not subject to military jurisdiction in that respect.
Ill
The tasks assigned to the Reichsfuehrer SS, so far as the reorganization of German farmers is concerned will be executed by the Reich Minister for Nutrition and Agriculture following the general directives of the Reichsfuehrer SS. '
Otherwise the Reichsfuehrer SS will make use, within the territory of the German Reich, for the execution of his task of the existing authorities and institutions of the Reich, sthe states and the communities as well as all other public institutions and the existing settlement societies.
In case an agreement required by law and administrative organization cannot be reached about a measure to be taken, between the Reichsfuehrer SS and the competent higher Reichs-au-thority in the operational territory of the Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres, my decision has to be sought through the Reich Minister and the Chief of the Reich Chancellory.
IV
Negotiations with foreign governments and other authorities as well 'as with racial Germans, as long as'they are still abroad, will be conducted in cooperation with the Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs [Reichsminister des Auswaertigen].
V
If land is required for the settlement within Germany of returning German citizens and racial Germans the law on providing land for purposes of the army of March 29th, 1935 (Reichsgesetzblatt I page 467) and its executive regulations will be applied to provide the necessary land. The tasks of the Reich agency for providing land [Reichsstelle fuer Landbeschaffung] will be taken over by the agency designated by the Reichsfuehrer SS.
497
A86-PS
VI
The Reichsminister for Finance will provide the Reichsfuehrer SS with the necessary means for the execution of the measures.
Berlin 7 October 1939 The Fuehrer and Reichschancellor
signed: Adolf Hitler. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers for all Defenses of the Reich
signed: Goering General Field Marshal The Reich Minister and the Chief of the Reich Chancellery
signed: Dr. Lammers
The Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces
signed: Keitel.