18 Dec. 45
I offer in evidence Document 072-PS, which is Exhibit
Number USA-357, a letter dated 19 April 1941 from Reichsleiter Bormann
to Reichsleiter Rosenberg. This letter exposes the participation of the
Gauleiter in measures relating to the confiscation of religious
property.
I now quote from the last paragraph of Page 1 of the English
translation of Document 072-PS, which reads:
"The libraries and art objects of the
monasteries confiscated in the Reich were to remain for the time being
in these monasteries insofar as the Gauleiter had not directed
otherwise ... "
On 21
February 1940 the Chief of the Security Police and SD, Heydrich, wrote a
letter to Reichsführer SS Himmler, proposing that certain listed
churches and monasteries be confiscated for the accommodation of
so-called "racial Germans."
The Tribunal, of course, will recall Himmler's position.
After pointing out that on political grounds outright expropriation of
religious property would not be feasible at the time, Heydrich suggested
certain specious interim actions with respect to the church properties
in question, to be followed progressively by outright confiscation.
I now offer in evidence R-101(a) — it is right towards the end of
Your Honor's Exhibit — as Exhibit USA-358.
If Your Honors please, there are several of those documents under
R-101, and at the bottom you will notice they are labeled "a,"
"b," and "c." The first one is R-101(a), and I quote
the first five paragraphs on Page 2 of the English translation:
"Enclosed is a list of church
possessions which might be available for the accommodation of racial
Germans. The list, which I beg you to return, is supplemented by
correspondence and illustrated material pertinent to the subject.
"For political reasons, expropriation without indemnity of the
entire property of the churches and religious orders will hardly be
possible at this time.
"Expropriation with indemnity or in return for assignment of
other lands and grounds will be even less possible.
"It is therefore suggested that the respective authorities of
the orders be instructed that they make available the monasteries
concerned for the accommodation of racial Germans and remove their own
members to other less populous monasteries."
There is a marginal note opposite this paragraph that, translated, means
"very good."