13 Dec.
45
articles, throws stones and other objects
over the camp wall containing such information, or produces secret
documents, who, for the purpose of agitating, climbs on barracks roofs
and trees, seeks contact with the outside by giving light or other
signals, or induces others to escape or commit a crime, gives them
advice to that effect or supports such undertakings in any way
whatsoever."
The censorship
about the camps themselves was complemented by an officially inspired
rumor campaign outside the camps. Concentration camps were spoken of in
whispers, and the whispers were spread by agents of the Secret Police.
When the Defendant Speer said that if the threat of the concentration
camp were used, the news would get around soon enough, he knew whereof
he spoke.
We refer to Document 1531-PS. With reference to this document I wish to
submit a word of explanation. The original German text, the original
German document, the captured document was here in the document room and
was translated into English. as our translation shows. Yesterday we were
advised that it has either been lost or misplaced, the original German
text; and unfortunately no photostatic copy was available here in
Nuremberg. A certified copy is, however, being sent to the office here
from Frankfurt, and it is on its way today; and I ask the Tribunal's
permission to offer the English translation of the German original,
which is certified to be accurate by the translator, into evidence,
subject to a motion to strike it if the certified copy of the original
German document does not arrive.
I now refer to the Document Number 1531-PS. It bears our Exhibit Number
USA-248. This document is marked "top secret" and it is
addressed to all State Police district offices and to the Gestapo office
and for the information of the Inspectors of the Security Police and the
SD. It is an order relating to concentration camps, issued by the head
of the Gestapo; and I read from. English text, beginning with the second
paragraph, and quoting directly:
"In order to achieve a further
deterrent effect, the following must, in the future, be observed in
each individual case:
"3. The length of the period of custody must in no case be made
known, even if the Reichsführer SS and Chief of the German Police
or the Chief of the Security Police and the SD has already fixed it.
"The term of commitment to a concentration camp is to I openly
announced as 'until further notice.'
"In most serious cases there is no objection to increasing the
deterrent effect by the spreading of cleverly carried out rumor
propaganda, more or less to the effect that