27 Nov. 45
ical situation in the first quarter of
1935,"--that's the following year, foreseeing--"he stated
that he would keep this point in mind, and tell me when the situation
demanded that the assembling should commence."
Then, there is an apostrophe and a note at the bottom:
"The order was not sent out. The
first boats were launched in the middle of June '35 according to
plan."
The development of the armament industry by the use of foreign
markets was a program encouraged by the Navy, so that this industry
would be able to supply the requirements of the Navy in case of need.
We have an original German document, again headed "Geheime
Kommandosache" (secret commando matter)--a directive of 31
January 1933 by the Defendant Raeder for the German industry to
support the armament of the Navy.
It is identified in our series as C-29. I offer it in evidence as
Exhibit USA-46:
"Top Secret.
"General directions for support given by the German Navy to
the German armament industry."
"The effects of the present economic depression have led
here and there to the conclusion that there are no prospects of an
active participation of the German armament industry abroad, even if
the Versailles terms are no longer kept. There is no profit in it and
it is therefore not worth promoting. Furthermore, the view has been
taken that the increasing 'self-sufficiency' would in any case make
such participation superfluous.
"However obvious these opinions may seem, formed because of
the situation as it is today, I am nevertheless forced to make the
following contradictory corrective points:
"a) The economic crisis and its present effects must
perforce be overcome sooner or later. Though equality of rights in
war politics is not fully recognized today, it will, by the
assimilation of weapons, be achieved at some period, at least to a
certain extent.
"b) The consequent estimation of the duties of the German
armament industry lies mainly in the military-political sphere. It is
impossible for this industry to satisfy, militarily and economically,
the growing demands made of it by limiting the deliveries to our
Armed Forces. Its capacity must therefore be increased by the
delivery of supplies to foreign countries over and above our own
requirements.