30 Nov. 45
delegation consisting as far as I could determine of English,
Soviet, and American experts, and dated 14 November 1945.
This report states, I quote: "The ability of the Defendant
Hess is impaired"--that is--"the ability to defend himself,
to face a witness, and to understand details of the evidence." I
have cited this part of the report because it is closest to the
questions put to the experts by the Tribunal.
Another opinion says that " . . . even if Hess' amnesia does
not prevent the defendant from understanding what happens around him
and to follow the proceedings in Court..."
THE PRESIDENT [Interposing]: Would you speak a little more
slowly? The interpreters are not able to interpret so fast.
Would you also refer us expressly to those parts of the medical
reports to which you wish to draw our attention?
Do you understand what I said?
DR. VON ROHRSCHEIDT: Yes. I am sorry I cannot refer to the pages
of the original or English text, as I only have the German
translation; so I can only say that the first quotation. ..
THE PRESIDENT [Interposing]: You can read the words in
German, and they will be translated into English.
Which report are you referring to?
DR. VON ROHRSCHEIDT: I was referring to the report of 14 November
as far as I can see from my German translation. This report seems to
have been drawn up by a delegation of English, Soviet, and American
experts, and accompanied the report of 17 November 1945. What I
quoted was the following--may I repeat:
"The ability of the Defendant Hess
to defend himself, to face a witness, and to understand details of
the evidence is impaired."
I ask the Tribunal to tell me...
THE PRESIDENT: Can you say which of the doctors you are quoting?
DR. VON ROHRSCHEIDT: It is the report which, in my copy, is dated
14 November 1945, and, as I said, was presumably signed by Soviet,
American, and English doctors.
Unfortunately, when returning the material yesterday evening
after translation into German I could not get the original text, and
my attempt to obtain it now failed through lack of time.
THE PRESIDENT: Have the English prosecutors got a copy, and can
you tell us which it is?
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: I'm sorry, My Lord, I think I am in the
same difficulties as your Lordship. On the order that I have, I have
copies of four medical reports. Your Lordship will see