26 Nov. 45
and a block of writing paper. Even the White Books of the Foreign
Office, for which he has asked, could not be placed at his disposal.
In view of the fact that the data concerning Germany's foreign policy
during the last 7 or 8 years is so extensive, the Defendant Von
Ribbentrop cannot possibly recall every single date, every event,
every document, et cetera, unless his memory is refreshed by
his being able to speak with his former colleagues.
Apart from this the Defendant Von Ribbentrop has been in the
habit of taking a great many soporifics during the last 4 years,
especially bromides, and his memory has suffered in consequence. It
would not be very helpful to the investigation of historical truth in
a field which interests not only this Court, but also, to an even
greater extent, the outside world, if Von Ribbentrop during his
examination, might have to state at every turn that he could no
longer recollect these details.
Defendant Von Ribbentrop therefore applies to the Court and begs
that his above-mentioned colleagues be brought here and that he
receive permission to discuss with them matters pertaining to the
Trial, in order that he may prepare for further proceedings.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal has already intimated to defendant's
counsel that all applications should, as far as practicable, be made
in writing, and they consider that the applications which have now
been made orally should have been made in writing. They will consider
the facts with reference to the applications in respect of the
Defendant Von Ribbentrop's secretary. The other applications as to
witnesses and documents, which have been made in writing, have been
considered, or will be considered by the Tribunal.
DR. SAUTER: Mr. President, may I say in this connection that the
applications which I have today submitted have been repeatedly lodged
with the Court in writing, but my client is anxious lest he
experience difficulties in preparing for his own hearing and the
hearing of the defense witnesses.
THE PRESIDENT: As was announced at the sitting on Friday, Counsel
for the Prosecution were to try to arrange with defendants' counsel
some satisfactory arrangement with reference to the production of
documents in the German language. In accordance with that
announcement, Counsel for the Prosecution saw Counsel for the
Defense, and representatives of the Prosecution and the Defense
appeared before the Tribunal and the Tribunal has provisionally made
the following arrangement:
1. That in the future, only such parts of
documents as are read in court by the Prosecution shall in the first
instance be part of