. NMT06-T0384
Volume VI · Page 384
| EXTRACTS FROM THE
TESTIMONY OF DEFENDANT FLICK* |
|
| DIRECT EXAMINATION | |
| * * * * * * * * * * | |
| DR. DIX (counsel for defendant
Flick) : And now I would like to know from you, Mr. Flick, when did Hitler
arise as a problem before your mental eye? When did you for the first time
concern yourself with it? DEFENDANT FLICK: Well — Q. Or to put the question more precisely — not the date but just approximately — when did it become a problem for you? A. As far as I can remember today, this problem became important for me in 1931. In 1930, 1931, but it became a special problem from 1932 onward. The elections of autumn 1931 — or was it in 1930 or 1931 — I can't remember any more; these elections contributed materially to the success of the National Socialists, and the problem became more and more difficult the more the inner political difficulties of an economic nature increased in Germany. I also know that unemployment grew from month to month. As a result of all the economic crises, in my opinion and as an essential consequence of the German deflation policy which was being carried on at that time, gradually things developed to such a point that there were six million unemployed, and it was a matter of course, it was natural, that Hitler and his movement should find these new members for his Party. Q. What was your personal political attitude at that time? I mean before and after. Mention just one party of which you were perhaps a member. What were your leanings; how did you vote? A. I would like to say first of all that actually I was no political figure. In general, I kept away from politics. My work was devoted to my enterprises. In general, I never took the time to take part in any political activities, and it is a fact that circles of my professional colleagues often reproached me on this account. My political direction was from my youth onward the German People's Party — Deutsche Volkspartei. I belonged to it from my youth onward. I was always a member of the German People's Party up to the time when, after the death of Stresemann. it sank into political insignificance. Q. Did you know Stresemann personally? A. Yes, I knew Stresemann quite well. I met him quite often. Q. Did you ever contribute money to Party funds? Did you help in this way? |
* Complete testimony is recorded in mimeograph transcript, 2, 3, 7-11, 14-17, July 1947; pages 3150-3915, 10329. Further extracts from the testimony of the defendant Flick are reproduced above in section IV H and below in sections VI D, VII E, VIII D.
