Moreover, the Krupp companies profited greatly from
destroying the peace of the world through support of the Nazi
program. The rearmament of Germany gave Krupp huge orders and
corresponding profits. Before this Nazi menace to the peace began,
the Krupps were operating at a substantial loss. But the net profits
after taxes, gifts, and reserves steadily rose with rise of Nazi
rearmament, being as follows:
For year ending 30 September 1935-
57,216,392 marks
For year ending 30 September 1938- 97,071,632 marks
For year ending 30 September 1941- 111,555,216 marks
The book value of the Krupp concerns mounted
from 75,962,000 marks on 1 October 1933, to 237,316,093 marks on l
October 1943. Even this included many going concerns in occupied
countries at a book value of only 1 mark each. These figures are
subject to the adjustments and controversies usual with financial
statements of each vast enterprise but approximately reflect the
facts about property and operations.
The services of Alfried Krupp and of Von Bohlen and their family
to the war aims of the Nazi Party were so outstanding that the Krupp
enterprises were made a special exception to the policy of
nationalization of industries. Hitler said that he would be
"prepared to arrange for any possible safeguarding for the
continued existence of the works as a. family enterprise; it would be
simplest to issue 'lex Krupp' to start with". After short
negotiations, this was done. A decree of 12 November 1943 preserves
the Krupp works as a family enterprise in Alfried Krupp's control and
recites that it is done in recognition of the fact that "for 132
years the firm of Fried. Krupp, as a family enterprise has achieved
outstanding and unique merits for the armed strength of the German
people."
It has at all times been the position of the United States that
the great industrialists of Germany were guilty of the crimes charged
in this Indictment quite as much as its politicians, diplomats, and
soldiers. Its chief of counsel, on 7 June 1945, in a report to
President Truman, released by him and with his approval, stated that
the accusations of crimes include individuals in authority in the
financial, industrial, and economic life of Germany as well as
others.
Pursuant thereto, the United States, with approval of the
Secretary of State, proposed to indict Alfried Krupp, son of Krupp
von Bohlen, and president and owner of the Krupp concern. The
Prosecutors representing the Soviet Union, the French Republic, and
the United Kingdom unanimously opposed inclusion of Alfried Krupp.
This is not said in criticism of them or their judgment. The
necessity of limiting the number of defendants was considered by
representatives of the other three nations to preclude the addition
of