Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 4, p. 68
		18 Dec. 45 I offer in evidence Document 072-PS, which is Exhibit Number USA-357, a letter dated 19 April 1941 from Reichsleiter Bormann to Reichsleiter Rosenberg. This letter exposes the participation of the Gauleiter in measures relating to the confiscation of religious property. I now quote from the last paragraph of Page 1 of the English translation of Document 072-PS, which reads: "The libraries and art objects of the monasteries confiscated in the Reich were to remain for the time being in these monasteries insofar as the Gauleiter had not directed otherwise ... " On 21 February 1940 the Chief of the Security Police and SD, Heydrich, wrote a letter to Reichsführer SS Himmler, proposing that certain listed churches and monasteries be confiscated for the accommodation of so-called "racial Germans." The Tribunal, of course, will recall Himmler's position. After pointing out that on political grounds outright expropriation of religious property would not be feasible at the time, Heydrich suggested certain specious interim actions with respect to the church properties in question, to be followed progressively by outright confiscation. I now offer in evidence R-101(a) — it is right towards the end of Your Honor's Exhibit — as Exhibit USA-358. If Your Honors please, there are several of those documents under R-101, and at the bottom you will notice they are labeled "a," "b," and "c." The first one is R-101(a), and I quote the first five paragraphs on Page 2 of the English translation: "Enclosed is a list of church possessions which might be available for the accommodation of racial Germans. The list, which I beg you to return, is supplemented by correspondence and illustrated material pertinent to the subject. "For political reasons, expropriation without indemnity of the entire property of the churches and religious orders will hardly be possible at this time. "Expropriation with indemnity or in return for assignment of other lands and grounds will be even less possible. "It is therefore suggested that the respective authorities of the orders be instructed that they make available the monasteries concerned for the accommodation of racial Germans and remove their own members to other less populous monasteries." There is a marginal note opposite this paragraph that, translated, means "very good." 68
		Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 4, p. 68     Last modified: June 3, 2000 Technical/administrative contact: webmaster@holocaust-history.org