conference, both confirmed that it was Schacht who was the initiator of the financing of the pre-election campaign (Transcript, 4 July 1946; EC-439, USA-618).

e) Utilizing his prestige, Schacht also repeatedly admitted in his public statements that he asked for the support in the elections of both the Nazi Party and of Hitler (USA- 615; USA-616; Transcript, Afternoon Session, 2 May 1946).

On 29 August 1932, Schacht wrote to Hitler: "No matter where my activities lead me in the near future, even if some day you see me imprisoned in a fortress, you can always depend on me as your loyal aide" (EC-457, USA-619).

Thus, Schacht consciously and deliberately supported the Nazi Party and actively aided in the seizure of power in Germany by the Fascists. Even prior to his appointment as Plenipotentiary for War Economy, and immediately after the seizure of power by the Nazis, Schacht led in planning and developing the German armaments, as follows:

a) On 17 March 1933, Schacht was appointed President of the Reichsbank (PS-3021, USA-11), and as he himself stated in a speech before his Reichsbank colleagues on 21 March 1938, the Reichsbank under his management was "none other than a National Socialist institution" (Transcript, Afternoon Session, 3 May 1946).

b) In August 1934, Schacht was appointed Reich Minister of Economy (PS-3021, USA-11). His Ministry "was given the task of carrying out the economic preparation for war" (EC-128, USA-623). A special decree granted Schacht, in his capacity of Reich Minister of Economy, unlimited authority in the field of economy (Reichsgesetzblatt, 1934, Part 1, p. 565). c) Making use of these powers in 193-L Schacht launched upon the execution of the "new program" developed by him (Reichsgesetzblatt , 1934, Part 1, p. 826), and, as Schacht himself noted in his speech of 29 November 1933, this organization played a tremendous part in the course of Germany's rearmament (EC-611, USA-662).

d) For the purpose of the most effective execution of this "new program" Schacht used the property and means of those political enemies of the Nazi regime, who either became the victims of terror or were forced to emigrate (Schacht's note to Hitler of 3 May 1939; PS-1168, USA-37).

Schacht used swindler's tactics and coercion in an effort to acquire raw material and foreign currency for armaments (Affidavit of Vice-President of the Reichsbank, Puhl; EC-437, USA:624).

e) During the first days of his association with the Reichsbank Schacht issued a series of decrees (27 October 1933, 23 March 1934,