26 Nov. 45
aren't correct records of what occurred, it surprises us that
with the great thoroughness with which the Germans kept accurate
records, they would have had these records that didn't represent the
truth in their OKW files.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Alderman, the Tribunal will of course hear
what evidence the defendants choose to give with reference to the
documents.
MR. ALDERMAN: It has occurred to me in that connection that if
any of these defendants have in their possession what is a more
correct transcription of the Führer's words on this occasion,
the Court should consider that. On the other question referred to by
counsel, I feel somewhat guilty. It is quite true that, by a
mechanical slip, the press got the first document, which we never at
all intended them to have. I feel somewhat responsible. It happened
to be included in the document books that were handed up to the Court
on Friday, because we had only intended to refer to it and give it an
identification mark and not to offer it. I had thought that no
documents would be released to the press until they were actually
offered in evidence. With as large an organization as we have, it is
very difficult to police all those matters.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Alderman, the Tribunal would like to know how
many of these documents are given to the press.
MR. ALDERMAN: I can't answer that.
COL. STOREY: May it please the Tribunal, it is my understanding
that as and when documents are introduced in evidence, then they are
made available to the press.
THE PRESIDENT: In what numbers?
COL. STOREY: I think about 250 copies of each one, about 200 or
250 mimeographed copies.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal think that the defendants' counsel
should have copies of these documents before any of them are handed
to the press. I mean to say that in preference to gentlemen of the
press the defendants' counsel should have the documents.
COL. STOREY: Your Honor, if it please the Court, I understand
that these gentlemen had the 10 documents on Saturday morning or
Sunday morning. They had them for 24 hours, copies of the originals
of these documents that have been read today, down in the Information
Center.
THE PRESIDENT: I stated, in accordance with the provisional
arrangement which was made, and which was made upon your
representations, that 10 copies of the trial briefs and five copies