. NMT05-T1116
Volume VI · Page 1116
| been demonstrated here that the happenings under discussion here were
always in conformity with the German legislation, and at no time constituted
violations of it. International law disapproves of the decrees issued by the
German Government, so far as they conflict with general principles of
international law. But can we expect the individual to disregard the laws of
his own country for the sake of international concepts? Can we expect the
individual to submit to the sanctions of his country's legislation, because he
regards this legislation as contrary to international law? Can we demand of a
private individual such an attitude with all its consequences, which under the
intensified National Socialist dictatorship under wartime conditions would have
meant the sacrifice of his existence? To pose this question is to answer "No."
Can one, therefore, accuse the defendants here of having participated in the
enslavement of foreign peoples, the spoliation of occupied territories, crimes
against humanity, and the fostering of trends which the IMT has declared
criminal? I have already commented upon the material side of the individual
counts in the foregoing statements; I have yet to give an opinion on the
character of my client. Steinbrinck, as a young naval officer, had completed a short career, but rich in achievements and successes, and he had won recognition, even among his enemies, on a large scale. The qualities which he exhibited as an officer, i.e., a sense of honor, correctness, a sense of duty and chivalry, remained decisive also in the further course of his life, and he remained an officer in spirit even when his military career had ended. The inscription in the Seebruegge Naval War Museum, with which the former enemy describes his personality, reads "Cet officier était très correct." [This officer was very correct]. These words were binding also for him, when he returned to France and Belgium a second time during the war, this time not as a soldier. Then again, economic circles with which he came into contact described his attitude as correct and chivalrous. He carried out orders received from his superiors like an officer complying with an order but trying at the same time to avoid hardships as far as possible. He went a long way in his efforts to spare the occupied territories. His agency took its instructions to act as the friend and adviser of indigenous industrial enterprises so seriously that it even warned the latter of imminent confiscation drives, so that these enterprises could take preventive measures in good time, and thus frustrate the occupation authorities in their plans. When military orders, given at a time when strikes were making the situation difficult, caused hardships for the civilian population, and the tension became so critical as to threaten clashes between the military forces of |
