. NMT05-T0932
Volume V · Page 932
| and Jewish question was not mere theory.
Based on this knowledge, and in view of the ever increasing symptoms in
Germany, I gained the conviction that the influence of Jewry was not properly
related to the portion of the population and that, therefore, some realization
had to be obtained. I considered such possible through proper and sufficient
legislation. This exhausted my interest in the Jewish question. For that reason
I never participated in measures of force against the Jews, nor approved of
them, nor supported them knowingly. I was never in any way a participant in
legislative measures. In the uproar of war I still disapproved of the measures
adopted by Himmler's and Hitler's orders regarding the destruction of the Jews,
and neither deliberately demanded them nor supported them. As far as the extent
of the extermination is concerned, I could not form a picture at that time. I
did not receive reports because I was not a participant. Details only became
known to me here in Nuernberg from documents. Up to the time when Himmler made
his speech in Poznan on 4 October 1943, I had no knowledge of the plan, nor was
I taken into confidence after this date. I had not participated in conferences
about it, and I was not a member of the circle of those who took part. In
peacetime, in such a situation, I could have surrendered my office, but war
deprived me of freedom of action and decision. The war had reached a dangerous
climax. It became a fight for survival of the German people. The last capable
men and youngsters were at the front. Women and girls worked in the armament
factories at home. In such a position, my resignation would have been treason
against Germany. For that reason I, in my position, could not even so much as
consider such a thought. Here I am indicted as the chief of the WVHA [Economic and Administration Main Office]. The organization of this office of the Reich, from its smallest stages and subject to the greatest difficulties, was my life's work. In those last ten years I devoted my entire strength and time to it. It is my work. My activity as the administrative chief was an administrative and economic one, not a military and not a police executive activity. The aim of this work was the maintenance of man and substance for the purposes of the struggle and the work — but not the destruction. Before this Tribunal the structure and significance of the WVHA has been much discussed, without that aim having been achieved, much to my regret, that a picture was drawn which was correct in every part. A last cause for this lack of success is, no doubt, the chart which was hanging on the wall, and it was not suitable to supply proof pro or contra. Yes, it has my signature because I assumed that the chart was merely to show the Tribunal my field of activity in its most simple form, but not to serve the |
