. NMT06-T0286
Volume VI · Page 286
| 4. Later some gentlemen were
added who had not been invited by me personally, above all the gentlemen from
the SS, who were sent to the Circle of Friends by Reich Leader SS Himmler. From
1934 or perhaps 1933, on, the Circle of Friends was regularly invited to the
Party rally at Nuernberg, an invitation which the gentlemen always gladly
accepted. I believe it was because of these invitations that the Circle of
Friends from then on was called "Himmler's Circle of Friends." 5. The purpose of the Circle of Friends was to consult upon the plans for National Socialist leadership of the German national economy. 6. In May 1932, after I had met with gentlemen of the Circle of Friends several times, I asked the Fuehrer whether he could not receive the gentlemen some time. Then the Fuehrer received the gentlemen in the small hall of the Kaiserhof [Hotel] on 18 May 1932. As far as I can recall, the gentlemen who were at that time members of the Circle of Friends were all present on that occasion. 7. The Fuehrer made a short speech and in it disclosed among other things, as points of his program — abolition of trade unions and abolition of parties other than the NSDAP. No one raised any objection. 8. These points of the Fuehrer's program met with the fullest approval of the members of the Circle of Friends, but they expressed their apprehension that he would not be able to carry out these excellent ideas. 9. In 1932 and 1933, I often met with the gentlemen of the Circle of Friends. We had consultative meetings concerning finance, questions of economics and currency, and all were on very good terms. The members of the Circle of Friends were always very glad to attend the meetings. The meetings took place later on quite regularly on the second Wednesday of every month, an arrangement which was adhered to through the years. 10. Himmler himself became a frequent participant in the Circle of Friends. After the outbreak of the war, however, when he no longer had the time, he attended only every third or fourth meeting. Himmler or his personal staff regularly sent several SS leaders to attend the meetings. This also made possible the exchange of ideas between the gentlemen of industry and the members of the SS. The relationship between the two groups was always a very friendly one. 11. The Reich Leader SS invited us time and again, and once we were in Dachau when Himmler was present. The gentlemen were interested in seeing the installations of the SS. The re- […quest] |
