8 Jan. 46
"Political prisoners, Jews,
anti-socials, gypsies, felons, homosexuals, and, before 1937, also the
International Bible Students."
I refer also to Document Number 1531-PS — this is not in the
document book — Exhibit Number USA-248, which is already in
evidence. This was an order by the RSHA in 1942 authorizing third-degree
methods against Jehovah's Witnesses. That was read by Colonel Storey.
I now turn to acts of suppression in the annexed and occupied
territories. In Austria Bishop Rusch of Innsbruck has written an
illuminating report on this subject. I offer this sworn statement in
evidence, Document 3278-PS, Exhibit Number USA-569. This is a report on
the fighting of National Socialism in the Apostolic Administration of
Innsbruck-Feldkirch, of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. In this the Bishop
declares, and I start on the first page of the English text and of the
German translation:
"After having seized power, National
Socialism immediately showed the tendency to exclude the Church from
publicity."
The expression "publicity"
— this was written in English by the Bishop — evidently means "public
activities." I continue with the quote:
"At Corpus Christi in 1938 the
customary solemn procession was forbidden. In the summer of the same
year all ecclesiastical schools and kindergartens were disbanded.
Daily newspaper and weekly reviews of Christian thinking were likewise
removed. In the same year all kinds of ecclesiastical organizations,
especially youth organizations such as Boy Scouts, were disbanded, all
activity forbidden.
"The effect of these prohibitions came soon: The clergy took
opposition against them, they could not do otherwise. Then a great
wave of priest arrests followed. About a fifth of them were eventually
arrested. Reasons for arrests were:
"1. The 'pulpit-paragraph.' When Party actions were mentioned or
criticized even in the humblest manner.
"2. The practice of taking care of young people. A specially
heavy prohibition was given in November 1939. Children's or youth's
mass or services were forbidden. Religion or faith lessons were not
allowed to be given in the church except lessons of preparing for
first Communion or confirmation. Teaching of religion at school was
very often forbidden without any reason.
"The priest, according to his conscience, could not follow this
public proscription and this explained the great number of