21 Nov. 45
"The Führer is at present
occupied with the question of the occupation of the Atlantic islands
with a view to the prosecution of war against America at a later
date. Deliberations on this subject are being embarked upon
here." (376-PS)
On December 7th, 1941, a day which the late
President Roosevelt declared "will live infamy victory for
German aggression seemed certain. The Wehrmacht was at the gates of
Moscow. Taking advantage of the situation, and while her
plenipotentiaries were creating a diplomatic diversion in Washington,
Japan without declaration of war treacherously attacked the United
States at Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. Attacks followed swiftly
on the British Commonwealth, and The Netherlands in the Southwest
Pacific. These aggressions were met in the only way that they could
be met, with instant declarations of war and with armed resistance
which mounted slowly through many long months of reverse until
finally the Axis was crushed to earth and deliverance for or its
victims was won.
Your Honor, I am about to take up "Crimes in the Conduct of
War". which is quite a separate subject. We are within 5 minutes
of the recessing time. It will be very convenient for me if it will
be agreeable to you.
THE PRESIDENT: We will sit again in 15 minutes' time.
[The Tribunal recessed until
1550 hours.]
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal must request that if
it adjourns for 15 minutes members of the bar and others are back in
their seats after an interval of 15 minutes. Mr. Justice Jackson, I
understand that you wish to continue to 5:15, when you may be able to
conclude your speech?
MR. JUSTICE JACKSON: I think that would be the most orderly way.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, the Tribunal will be glad to do so.
MR. JUSTICE JACKSON: May it please your Honor, I will now take up
the subject of "Crimes in the Conduct of War". Even the
most warlike of peoples have recognized in the name of humanity some
limitations on the savagery of warfare. Rules to that end have been
embodied in international conventions to which Germany became a
party. This code had prescribed certain restraints as to the
treatment of belligerents. The enemy was entitled to surrender and to
receive quarter and good treatment as a prisoner of war. We will show
by German documents that these