18 Dec. 45
were members of the Party: Göring, Frick,
and Hitler. I have already shown that as new ministries were added
prominent Nazis were placed at their head. On 30 January 1937 Hitler
executed acceptance into the Party of those Cabinet members who were not
already members of the Nazi Party. This action is reported in the Völkischer
Beobachter, South German edition, 1 February 1937; it is Document
Number 2964-PS, Exhibit USA-401, and I quote from Paragraphs 3 and 4 of
the English translation:
"In view of the anticipated
re-opening of the rolls for Party membership, the Führer as the
first step in this regard, personally carried out the enlistment into
the Party of the members of the Cabinet who so far had not belonged to
it; and he handed them simultaneously the Gold Party Badge, the
supreme badge of honor of the Party. In addition, the Führer
awarded the Gold Party Badge to Colonel General Baron von Fritsch;
Generaladmiral, Dr. Raeder; the Prussian Minister of Finance,
Professor Popitz; and the Secretary of State and Chief of the
Presidential Chancellery, Dr. Meissner. The Führer also honored
with the Gold Party Badge the Party members State Secretary Dr.
Lammers, State Secretary Funk, State Secretary Körner and State
Secretary General of the Air Force Milch. "
It was possible to refuse the Party membership thus conferred. Only one
man did this, however, Von Eltz-Rübenach, who was the Minister of
Posts and Minister of Transport at the time. I have here an original
letter, dated 30 January 1937, from Von Eltz-Rübenach to Hitler,
and it is in his own personal handwriting. I offer it in evidence as
Document 1534-PS, Exhibit USA-402; and I quote the entire document:
"Berlin (W8), 30 January 1937,
Wilhelm Street, 79
"My Führer:
"I thank you for the confidence you have placed in me during the
4 years of your leadership and for the honor you do me in offering to
admit me into the Party.
"My conscience forbids me, however, to accept this offer. I
believe in the principles of positive Christianity and must remain
faithful to my God and to myself. Party membership, however, would
mean that I should have to countenance, without protest, the
increasing violent attacks by Party officers on the Christian
confessions and on those who wish to remain faithful to their
religious convictions.
"This decision has been infinitely difficult for me, for never
in my life have I performed my duty with greater joy and satisfaction
than under your wise state leadership.
"I ask to be permitted to resign.