4
Dec. 45
Germany
hoped to conquer Europe, perhaps to conquer the
world in detail; to fight on one front at a
time, against one power at a time, and not to
unleash a general European conflict.
But
Von Blomberg went on:
"The
politically fluid world situation, which
does not preclude surprising incidents,
demands a continuous preparedness for
war of the German Armed Forces (a) to
counter attack at any time" —
yet he had just said that there was no
fear of any attack-and "(b)" —
and I invite the Tribunal again to
notice this phrase — " to
enable the military exploitation of
politically favorable opportunities,
should they occur."
That phrase is no more than a euphemistic
description of aggressive war. It reveals the
continued adherence of the German military
leaders to the doctrine that military might, and
if necessary war, should be an instrument of
policy — the doctrine which had been
explicitly condemned by the Kellogg Pact, which
was renounced by the pact with Poland, and by
innumerable other treaties.
The
document goes on to set out the general
preparations necessary for a possible war in the
mobilization period of 1937-1938. It is evidence
at least for this, that the leaders of the
German Armed Forces had it in mind to use the
military strength which they were building up
for aggressive purposes. No reason, they say, to
anticipate attack from any side-there is a lack
of desire for war. Yet they prepare to exploit
militarily favorable opportunities.
Still
more important as evidence of the transition to
planned aggression is the record of the
important conference which Hitler held at the
Reich Chancellery on the 5th of November 1937,
at which Von Blomberg, Reich Minister for War;
Von Fritsch, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army;
Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the
Luftwaffe; Raeder, the Commander-in-Chief of the
Navy; and Von Neurath, then the Foreign
Minister, were present. The minutes of that
conference have already been put in evidence. I
refer to them now only to emphasize those
passages which make apparent the ultimate
intention to wage an aggressive war. You will
remember that the burden of Hitler's argument at
that conference was that Germany required more
territory in Europe. Austria and Czechoslovakia
were specifically envisaged. But Hitler realized
that the process of conquering those two
countries might well bring into operation the
treaty obligations of Great Britain and of
France. He was prepared to take the risk. You
remember the passage:
"The
history of all times: Roman Empire,
British Empire has proved that every
space expansion can be effected only by