First, as I have indicated, pretended that they are undesirable.
Second, this decision was made on a superior echelon and in a general fashion.
Third, all the intervened to assure the carrying out of these barbarous orders."
I now present to the Tribunal document 1207. This document is a German report, a voluminous report.
It is in fact 70 pages long.
It was found in the German archives in Paris. In this document of census cards.
It is mimeographed. Our copies have not the signature of the author, but simply the indication "SS Obersturmfuehrer."
THE PRESIDENT: That fact which you have just stated to us, has captured document in Paris?
M. FAURE: We seized these documents at the archives of the Surete Nationale.
We found them among the documents in the German offices at the time of the liberation.
Besides, I point out to the signatures of the German officials.
This report is the only document which does not have a signature.
The fact that it was written by best way of doing it.
I shall not read to the Tribunal the 70 pages I think may interest the Tribunal.
Here is the first page. First of all the title is, "The Jewish Question in France and the Manner of Dealing with it."
"1 July 1941." First page: "Definitive solution of the Jewish question.
Average reason and general aim of the activity SD.
It is already now evident that practical results can not he achieved without the study of the political situation in general as well as of the situation of the Jews.
"The pages that follow are meant to give a view of the whole of our plan and to comment on the results achieved up to now as well as the immediate aims. All the principles which follow are to be considered from the following point of view. After the chief of the SIPO received from the Fuehrer the mission of preparing the solution of the Jewish question Europe, its offices in France have to carry out the preliminary work in order to be able, when the time comes, to function in an absolutely certain manner as outer services of the European Commissary of Jewish questions." in order to follow the development of the idea and of the activity of this German office.
THE PRESIDENT: I was considering, M. Faure, why this document hasn't got any identifying mark upon it. I mean, of course, we don't doubt for an instance what you say to us is true, but at the same time it isn't the correct way to do it; for us have to reply on counsel's statement as to the nature of the evidence. And there is nothing on the document itself to show that it was captured in Paris or to show what it is except what it states.
M. FAURE: Mr. President, the joining of this document to the file of the French prosecution was done by a French report made in Paris, which I shall present before the Tribunal, because as this report concerns a certain number of documents, it was not especially joined to the file of this particular document. On the other hand, when I received these documents from the police I did not wish that we should write anything on the document or that we should place it under a seal, for I wished to avoid modifying the normal aspect of the document in any manner whatsoever. I must indicate that if the Tribunal prefere not to receive this document inasmuch as I do recognize that it does not bear a signature, I shall not submit this document for I have a second report of Dannecker which is signed by him and which constitutes approximately the summar of this one. I had submitted bot to enable the Court to see the continuity of the activity.
THE PRESIDENT: M. Faure, in the case of the documents presented by the United States, the captured documents by the United States, as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe reminded us the other day, there is an affidavit, I think, of Major Coogan, which on it states that all those documents of a certain series-PS, L, R, and various other series-- were all captured in Germany by the United States forces. If there were such an affidavit with reference to documents captured in Paris which might be identified by some letter such as PS or some similar letter to that, the matter would seem to us to be in order. But when a document is presented to us which has no identifying mark upon it at all we are then in the position of which we are in now of simply hearing the statement of counsel, which of course isn't evidence, that the document was found in Paris or found somewhere else; and therefore the way it occurs to me is one way that it might be dealt with would be an affidavit by somebody who knows the facts that this document and any other documents of a similar sort were captured in the archives of the German forces in Paris or elsewhere.
M. FAURE: I could very easile produce before the Tribunal the affidavit which it requests, I indicate that if we do not have it in this form it is because our habitual procedure is not exactly the same as that followed perhaps in the United States. So in fact, the Charter of the Tribunal indicating that the prosecution was charged with gathering the evidence, we ourselves have authorized magistrates in our offices and services to seek documents in the Archives of the police; and if the Tribunal wishes I shall ask in a supplementary fashion, the police for the attestation of the seizure of these documents in the German archives. I shall then ask the Tribunal to be allowed to produce this affidavit within a few days.
THE PRESIDENT: M. Faure, the Tribunal thinks that we might admit the document subject to your undertaking that you would do that in the course of a day or two.
M. FAURE: I can not guarantee that I will have this document in a day or two.
THE PRESIDENT: I wasn't stressing the number of days. If you will undertake to do it that is sufficient.
M. FAURE: Certainly, Mr. President. I continue then with the analysis of the Dannecker report. The first chapter is entitled "History of the Jews in France." I shall not read it. It includes a series of ideas on a wholly elementary intellectual level. The following chapter is entitled, "Organization of the Jews in France." It includes a first part under the heading, "Before 14 June 1940",-this part does not seem to me interesting. The second part of this chapter is entitled, "Activities of the SIPO and the SD, (SS, Einsatzkommando Paris)" against these organizations and against the leading Jewish persons (the report comes from the SS Hauptsturm Hafen). I think I might read the beginning. Czechoslovakia, and Poland made it possible to conclude that the center of Judism for Europe and the chief communications with the countries beyond the outer sea must be sought in France." It is on the basis of this observation that the great Jewish organizations that are already known, such as "World Jewish Congress"-then follows an enumeration -- have been searched and sealed. existence of a bond between Judism and Catholicism. It presents the results of searches that were made in the homes of various persons: The Rothschild family, the former minister Mandel, the press attache at the British Embassy, and other persons, including the lawyers Moro Giafferi and Torres. The end of this chapter is as indicated, page sixteen. In summary we can say that on the basis of the documentation that has been gathered that Judism in France, in connection with Catholicism as well as with certain important politicians, constituted the last rampart on the European continent.
The following division has the title, "Life of the Jews After the Arrival of the Germans." The text describes the manner in which the Germans organized and imposed a central and single organization of the Jews. This had to do with the beginning of the plan which I pointed out a while ago to the Tribunal, which consisted in creating a mass of Jewish population entirely separated from the rest of the population. I should like to read the first paragraph, for the analysis of it is very important. Of course, if appeared after the Armistice and return to normal life that almost all the Jewish associations had ceased to exist (absence of responsible officials and of donators who had fled into the non-occupied zone) while the needs of aid and help were constantly growing.
The German legislature brought about a constant aggravation of the Jewish social problems. It seems that this state of things should create a favorable ground in France for a general organization of Jews.
In this text there is a very subtle idea. It is noted that German legislature, that is say, the legislature of the military commands, brought about a great aggravation of the social problems, and there is concluded from this that the general organization of the Jews is thereby facilitated.
This reasoning confirms, I think, what I said to the Tribunal a while ago, namely, that we were faced with a whole system of measures, the first of which were intended to facilitate the separation of the Jewish community which was to be exterminated.
Dannecker thereupon explains how a coordination committee was created.
"It has been agreed with the services of the commandant of Greater Paris that in the future the Jewish organizations address themselves to the German services only through the intermediary of the Committee of Jewish Coordination. It is thus that all the small Jewish organizations will be forced to become integrated. Moreover, it has been agreed with the Parisian office of National Relief that, after a delay of a period of four weeks, me Jew can any longer be fed and sheltered by National Relief. The SNL delegate appointed a special representative to control the coordination committee in this matter. Moreover, the blocking of Jewish holdings in the very near future will force Judism to ask for the coordination of the committee in receiving gifts which are intended for it coming from these blocked holdings, and the acceptance of this request will signify the practical existence of an enforced Jewish union. It is thus seen that this question is likewise resolved in the sense it is desired, even if it is in a cold manner'."
The following chapter bears the title, "Political Activities of the Charge d Affaires of the SIPO and of the SD." I should like to read some passages from this. After the promulgation by the French Government of the Jewish statute of the 3rd of October 1940, a certain slowing-up occurred in the solution of the Jewish question in France. This is by the Charge d' affaires of Jewish Questions. He elaborated the plan of a Jewish Central Bureau. Discussions in regard to the plan took place with the military administration on 31 January 1941. The latter showed no interest, and considering that the question was of a purely political nature had it sent to the SD in agreement with the German Embassy; had it referred to the SD.
Commissioner Vala, with Ambassador Abetz, with De Brinon, and indicates the different exigencies presented by the Germans to the French authorities.
I pass now to page twenty-four, the last paragraph. the SS Brig. Fuehrer Dr. Best by SS Obersturmbannfuhrer Dr. Knochen. This proposal means that the liaison service is to be created, which should include the representatives of the four offices above cited. The Direction of these matters was to be in the hands of the charge d' affaires of Jewish questions of the SD in conformity with the rules of competency of the OKW, the OKH, and the Militaerbefehlshaber in France. After this discussion on the 10th of June 1941 there was held a conference. Doctor Stortz, the ministerial consular, was represented there and the Verwaltungstab--then German titles follow which haven't been translated into French, which are a little hard for me to read. Doctor Blancke, Economic Service, Embassy Counsellor Zeitschel, of the German Embassy, and Obersturmbannfuehrer Dannecker, the representative of the Military Administration, expressed clearly that the competence of the SD resulted from the decrees of the OKW and of the OKH as well is from the last confidential decrees of the Militaerbefehlshaber of France of the 21st of March 1941. Doctor Stortz expressed that for various reasons it would be preferable to abstain from creating a liaison bureau, properly speaking, created by the SD. SS Obersturmbannfeuhrer Dannecker explains for his part that the only thing that was import ant was the definitive settling of the question, and that subsequently the SD should be in a position to carry Out the orders coming from the RSHA.
THE PRESIDENT: M. Faure, can't you summarize this? It is a very long document, and we have so many documents and so much evidence in connection with the Jews already.
M. FAURE: I shall simply read one sentence on the same page:
"After the conference it was decided to meet the same place, at the Charge diaffaires of Jewish Questions, every week." iences and the difficulties that they encountered.
I think it is interesting to note these regular conferences which were held every week were between the military services, the Embassy, and the Police Service.
The following passages of the report can be passed over. They are appraisals of valor, indications relative to the file concerning the Jews, and the analysis of German ordinances. This is important to show that these ordinances enter into the overall plan. that this institute was financed by the Embassy of Germany. The report continues by statistical indications, and it concludes with a statement of which I shall read only one paragraph:
"I hope I have succeeded in giving an idea of the present situation, and in giving a view of the whole of the difficulties of all kinds that we have had to surmount in this round of ideas. I cannot speak of this subject without remembering the really friendly support which has been given to our work by Amgassador Abetz and by his representative, the Attache Schleier, as well as that of the SS Sturmbannfuehrer, Embassy Councillor, Dr. Zeitschel." all the documents which are included in my document file. I shall therefore pass now to Document Number 1210, which I submit under this number. This Document Number 1210 is a new report of Dannecker. It is dated 22 February 1942, I submit it to show the regularity and the development of the activity of the German offices. This is Document 1210. I have not submitted Documents 1208, and 1209. This is a letter of the 22nd of February 1942. I shall simply read the headings, and I shall make two quotations.
The first healing is entitled "Task of the SIPO and of the SD in France." The second is "Jewish Cartotheque;" the third, "French Commissariat of Jewish Questions"; the fourth, "The French Anti-Jewish Police." The fifth is entitled "Activity." I shallquote the paragraph:
"Up to now three operations of great scope have been carried out against the Jews of Paris. Each time our services have been responsible for the choice of the Jews who are to be arrested, and, also for all the preparatory work as well as for the technical organization of the activities The Jewish Cartotheque, which we have described here above, has considerably facilitated the organization of all these activities."
Following that is the heading of "Anti-Jewish Institute," and, finally, "Obligatory Grouping of the Jews."
Next is "Tuesday Conferences." I shall read Paragraph 2:
"Since the middle of 1941, every week there is a Tuesday conference"-this is page 5 of the document--"in which are represented the following services: One, Military Command, administrative staff, administration section. Two, Administrative Staff, Police Group. Three, Administrative Staff, Economic Section. Four, Embassy of Germany and Paris. Five, Einsatztab West of the Reichsleiter Rosenberg.
"The conference had as a result, except of course for very rare exceptions, which occurred in isolated cases, that an absolute aligning of the Jewish policy was able to be carried out in the occupied territory."
THE PRESIDENT: We will break off now.
(A recess was taken from 1535 hours to 1545 hours.)
M. FAURE: Gentlemen, in order not to prolong the discussion too greatly I would like, if it pleases the Tribunal, to submit as a document all the documents which are found in this book, but to read in making an analysis only some which are the most important.
I will then pass over Document 1211, 1212, 1213, and 1214. I should like to read 1215, which is a telegram of the 13th of May 1942. I should like to mention to the Tribunal at the end of the text which has been mimeographed in French, that there was on the document the letter "K", which indicated the word "Keitel." I would like to mention that this word is not found in the document. I should like to read this document, which is very short:
"Secret Telegram - 13 May 1942. To the Chief of Bezirka.
"According to the instruction of the Commanding General of the Army we must not, in publications relative to the forced driving back of inhabitants, to use the words 'sending towards the East,' in order to avoid reference to the occupied regions of the East.
"The same is true for the expression "deportation," this word reminding too closely the expulsions of inhabitants into Siberia at the time of the Czars. In all the publications and in all correspondence we must use the words "sending for forced labor." Each of quote.
Dannecker, of the 10th of March 1942. The purpose of this memorandum is thus entitled. "Deportation from France of 5,000 Jews." the document. Dannecker alludes to a meeting of the Jewish charge d'affaires, a meeting which took place in Berlin in the RSHA, the 4th of March 1942, during which it was decided that parley would be undertaken for the deportation of several thousands of Jews from France. The memorandum specifies Paragraph 4, second sentence:
"Jews of French nationality must be deprived of their nationality before the deportation, or at the latest, the very day of that deportation." deportation must be paid by the French Jews. As far as imminent deportations is concerned of considerable Jewish masses from Czechoslovakia, it was provided that the Slovakian Government should pay a sum of 500 Rentenmark for each Jew who was deported, and, moreover, would pay for the expenses of deportation. of June, 1942, entitled "Other transports of Jews coming from France." This continues the same operations, but I believe it is interesting to offer this in evidence without reading it, because this document shows the complete functioning and the normal functioning of this administration, of which the purpose was to arrest and to deport innocent people. 11th of June 1942, at which were present, besides Dannecker, those who were responsible for the Jewish Department of Brussels and of the Hague. sentence of the paragraph: "Ten per cent of Jews who are not able to work will be included in these convoys." This sentence shows that this deportation did not have for its purpose merely the procurement of labor. one sentence: "It was agreed that coming from Holland 15,000, from Belgium 10,000, and from France, including non-occupied territory, total sum 100,000 Jews who should be deported." The last part of the memorandum relates to the technical execution.
It alludes first to the negotiation with the service of transportation in order to obtain necessary trains. It alludes then to the necessity of obtaining from the de facto French Government the deprivation of nationality of all Jews who dwell beyond the frontier. Its result was that Jews who were deported would no longer be considered as French citizens; and we must note, last of all, that the French State should pay the expenses of transportation and divers expenses of the deportation. 1942, entitled "The Transportation of Jews outside of France" concerning the order of the SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Eichmann to the SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Dannecker of June 11, 1942. The three first paragraphs of this memorandum show that difficulties existed for the transportation of deportees, because of the fact that a great number of railway material is necessary for the preparation of the Eastern campaign. I should like to read the two last paragraphs of this letter:
"We now carry out a great reorganization of the German transportation system in France, consisting essentially in the taking over by the Reichsminister of transportation under his responsibility and numerous organizations which existed until today. This reorganization, which was ordered in a rather hasty manner quite recently, will be completed only in a few days. It is impossible to make known approximately before that date whether the transportation of Jews can be carried out in the near future or at a remote date on this anticipated scale, or even partially." responsibility of the Reich cabinet. Such an important undertaking as the deportation of so many Jews required the intervention of many different administrative services, and we see here that the success of this enterprise depends on the reorganization of transportation under the responsibility of the Reichsminister of transportation. It is then certain that such a ministerial department, which is the technical department, the best one, must intervene in order to carry out that general enterprise of deportation. of Doctor Knochen. This memorandum is entitled "Technical Execution of Convoys of Jews Outside of France." I shall only read, in order not to be too long, the first paragraph of this memorandum.
"To avoid any conflict with the operation which is being carried out concerning French workmen for Germany, we will only speak of Jewish transfers. This version is confirmed by the fact that the convoys may include entire families, as a result of which we envisage the possibility of sending later for the children less than sixteen years old who were left behind." painful from an ethical point of view, continues to treat in a large measure the question of the deportation of the Jews as if it were a question of simple merchandise as if these human beings were mere merchandise.
in Paris, Doctor Zeitschel, of June 27, 1942. I should like to read this letter, which is thus expressed:
"As a result of my conversation with the Hauptsturmfuehrer Dannecker of 27 June, during which he pointed out that he needed as soon as possible 50,000 Jews in the free zone, to be deported toward the East and he agreed, on the other hand, to aid the operation Darquier, the General Commissar on Jewish questions, I immediately informed Ambassador Abetz and Councilor Rahn of this matter. The Councilor Rahn would meet this afternoon President Laval, and promised to discuss with him immediately the handing over of these 50,000 Jews, as well as the question of giving plenary powers to Darquier de Pellepoix, in conformity with the laws already promulgated, and to grant him immediately the credits which he requested. Unfortunately, having been absent from Paris for eight days, and seeing the urgency of the question, I should like the Hauptsturmfuehrer Dannecker on Monday, the 29th, or Tuesday, the 30th, the latest to get in touch with Councilor Rahn, to become acquainted with the reply of Laval." of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of Ribbentrop in this abominable matter of the handing over of 50,000 Jews which was required. It is quite evident that such a step cannot be by a mere councilor of an embassy unknown to his minister, and if the latter is not informed he must have been informed and he must have consented to this matter.
I now submit Document 1221. It is a memorandum dated 26 June, 1942, of which I shall only give the title "Directives for the Deportation of Jews." A meeting of Specialists Concerning Jewish Questions. The Commando of the Security Police of Section IV-G, 30 June, 1942. Deportation of Jews coming from occupied territory to Auschwitz." In this memorandum Dannecker alludes to the conference which took place of the RSHA, according to which 50,000 Jews should be transferred. There follows a list of the trains, the stations in which they should meet, and so forth, and it asked for a report.
I now submit Document 1223. It is a memorandum dated 1 July 1942. It is the conference of Dannecker and Eichmann, who, as we already know, was in Berlin and who had to come to Paris on that occasion. Purpose: Departmental conference concerning the imminent evacuation from France with the SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Dannecker. It still concerns the preparation of the great operation which was envisaged. date, July 4, 1942 "Directive for a major round-up of Jews in Paris." July, 1942, of Dannecker. Purpose: Deportation of Jews from France. It concerns a conference held with representatives of French authorities. We see in the document the expression "Judenmaterial," which was translated in an indirect way by the words "Jewish livestock."
I now submit Document 1226. I should like to read, if the Tribunal pleases, the first paragraph of this document, which is very revealing, concerning both the collaboration with the transportation services and the frightful mentality of the Nazi authorities. The memorandum is a result of a telephonic conversation between the signatory Roethke and the Obersturmbannfuehrer Eichmann at Berlin.
"The SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Eichmann at Berlin telephoned the 14th of July 1942 about 1900 hours. He wished to know why the train which had been provided for the transportation of 15th of July 1942 had been annulled. I replied that in the beginning those who were stars would be arrested also in the provinces, but that in conformity with a recent agreement with the French Government only Jews who had lost their nationality should be arrested.
"The train of 15th of July 1942 then was annulled, according to the information of the S.D. Kommando at Bordeaux; 150 Jews without nationality were found in Bordeaux, given time, and Ersatz in Jews could not be found. SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Eichmann replied that it was a question of prestige. They had to carry out the Reichsminister of Transportation's long negotiations concerning trains, negotiations which were crowned by success, and now Paris cancels the train. Such a thing had never happened to him up to now. The matter wag very compromising.
He did not wish to inform subsequently the SS Gruppenfuehrer Mueller, for the blame would fall on his own shoulders. He wondered if in a general way it was not necessary to let France drop as a country of deportation was concerned." indicating that they evacuated up to the 2nd of September 1942, 27,069 Jews, and they might reach the figure at the end of October of a total of 52,069 Jews. They were concerned to accelerate the pace and to reach also the Jews of the non-occupied zone in France, I now submit Document 1228.
It is also an account of a conference where there were invited representatives of the French authorities, I should like to read only the last paragraph of this document 1228, "On the occasion of the congress which took place on the 28th of August 1942 at Berlin, it was observed that most of the European countries are closer and much closer to a permanent solution of the Jewish problem than France.
In truth, these countries began much earlier. We then must catch up in many matters between now and the 31st of October 1942."
I now submit Document 1229 without reading it. It is a memorandum of the 31st of December 1942 of Dr. Knochen on the same subject of deportation. 1943 concerning the present situation of the Jewish question in France. In the first part of this document they indicate that the deportations reached the number of 49,000 Jews up to the date of the 6th of March 1943. Then the information follows of the nationalities, which are quite varied -- rather a certain number of Jews who were deported in addition to French Jews. Paragraph 3 of this list bears the title position of the Italians in the Jewish question. I shall only read the first lines and the last lines of this long paragraph.
"The situation in the departments occupied by the Italians in France must be changed if we wish to solve the Jewish problem. A few cases are very urgent. These terrible cases were Italians in the zone in which they were opposed to the arrest of the Jews."
"A.A. was informed by the R.S.H.A. Eichmann concerning the acts of the Italians."
A.A. appears to be the initial of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which the following sentence confirms. I continue the quotations:
"The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ribbentrop, wished to discuss at the time of an audience with the Duce the position of the Italians concerning the Jewish question. We do not know the results of these parleys."
I shall not submit documents numbered 1231 nor 1232. I pass then to the last document which I should like to present to the Tribunal. This document relates more specifically to the deportation of children. the 21st of July 1942. I shall read paragraph 2.
"The question of deportation of children has been examined with the SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Eichmann. He decided immediately that the German Government would do all that was possible for the children. SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Nowak promised to do all that was possible at the end of August until September; about six convoys towards the general government, including Jews of all kinds, including those who were unable to work and elderly Jews."
Now I offer in evidence Document 1234. It is a memorandum of August 15, 1942, signed "Roethke." Before pointing out the interest of this document I remind the Tribunal that I have already submitted a document No. 18 and in that document there was a formula which I recall and which well envisaged the possibility of seeking out later the children of deportees who were left behind. The Nazis wished to give the impression that they deported the families together; that, at any rate, they didn't deport trainloads composed exclusively of children to give this impression. They thought up something which you could only believe if you read it; to mingle in definite proportions groups of children and groups of adults. I read paragraph 4 of this document 1234.
"The Jews coming from the non-occupied zone at Drancy will be mingled with Jewish children who are present at Pithiviers and Beaune La Rolande, so that out of 700 there will be at least 500 Jewish adults, 300 to 500 Jewish children. In fact, in conformity with the instructions of the R.S.H.A., trains containing only Jewish children must not leave France."
I also will read the following sentence:
"It was said at Leguay that in September thirteen trainloads of Jews were also to leave Drancy and that they could deliver Jewish children coming from the non-occupied zone."
I now submit these documents with a series relative to the Jewish question.
Document 1235 is one which I shall read so it will tell what was in it, "Received:
6 April 1944, Lyon. Object: The Institution of Jewish Children at Izieu, Ain Province.
This morning this institution of children, or child colony, at d'Izieu (Ain) was dissolved, and a total of forty-one children from three to thirteen were arrested.
Moreover, cessful, among which there were five women.
They were not able to secure much money.
The convoy which was destined for Drancy started on 7 April 1944."
discussed in the presence of Dr. V.B. and the Haupsturmfuehrer Brunner. Dr. V.B. stated that in cases of this kind special measures were provided considering the lodging of the children by the SS Obersturmfuehrer Roethke. The SS Haupsturmfuehrer Brunner stated that he knew of no such instructions or of any such plan. That theory did not prove of such special measures in this case, which was also received in conformity with the customary habit of deportation, and hence, from that time on is to take no decision as to the principle in this respect. I believe that law shows that there was something even more certain and more horrible than the concrete facts of the removing of these children, and in an administrative characteristic that account shows the hierarchic voice in a conference of different officials discussed in a matter relative to the normal method of their departments. were put in the movement on such occasions, and for such purposes. At first there is an illustration of the words which were made in the report of Drancy: "la maniere froids. The cold manner" tinuation of the chapter which includes certain number of documents which were gathered in order to show in conformity with our general line of presentation the perpetual interference of the German administrative service, and as I find myself late in my schedule, I shall simply point out the numbers of these documents, which I should like to offer in evidence, and which I shall not at this time give account of.