18 Dec. 45
Page 1 of the English translation, 2471-PS. I believe I
will read that whole paragraph, the first paragraph on the top of the
page:
"Before touching the real subject
matter, I must tell you first, in order to clear up any uncertainty
about my own position, that I never speak primarily as a member of the
SA, but as a National Socialist, since the SA cannot be independent of
the National Socialist movement but can only exist as a part of it."
I should next like to present to the Tribunal evidence which will
demonstrate the principal functions and activities performed by the SA
pursuant to the relationship which I have described above and in
furtherance of the objectives of the conspiracy. These activities may be
logically classified or divided into four distinct phases or aspects,
each of which, I might add, corresponds with a particular phase in the
progression of the conspiracy toward the objectives alleged in the
Indictment.
The first phase consists of the use of the SA and its members as the
instrument for the dissemination of ideology and fanaticism of the Nazis
throughout Germany. The employment of the SA for this purpose continued
throughout the entire period of the conspiracy as will, I am sure, he
apparent from the evidence.
The second phase relates to the period prior to the Nazi seizure of
power. During this period the SA was a militant and aggressive group of
fighters or gangsters whose function was to combat, physically and
violently, all opponents of the Party.
The third phase relates to the period of several years following the
Nazi seizure of power. During this period the SA participated in various
measures designed to consolidate the control of the Nazis, including
such Nazi-inspired programs as the dissolution of the trade unions, the
persecution of the Church, and the Jewish persecutions to which I have
already alluded. During this period they continued to serve as a force
of political soldiers whose purpose was physically to combat members of
political parties which were considered hostile or opposed to the Nazi
Party.
The fourth aspect of the SA activities consisted of its employment as
an agency for the building up of an armed force in Germany in violation
of the Treaty of Versailles and for the preparation of the youth of
Germany — mentally and physically — for the waging of an
aggressive war.
I should now like to discuss what I consider the highlights of the
evidence relating to these four phases.
The first phase is in connection with the dissemination of ideology.
The first function of the SA consisted of its responsibility to
disseminate the doctrines and ideologies, acceptance of which was