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standing social achievements known generally
to be in the tradition of IG.
I am convinced that this evidence and
establishment of the true facts are, for this Tribunal and for the public, the
best answer to the charges and the contention of the prosecution, that IG did,
within the framework of its foreign labor program, participate in enslavement
and mass murder on a tremendous scale. Consequently, I consider it right to
spare the Tribunal and myself the trouble of replying to the strong words of
the prosecution in a similar manner.
After concluding the presentation
of evidence on this fundamental point of count three of the indictment, I shall
deal with the personal responsibility of the defendant Schneider and the
problems connected therewith. I shall prove that the defendant was a
social-minded and just works manager and a successful inventor and technician
— a man who abstained from politics, loved peace, and never intended to
prepare military aggression, either by his work or by any other means, or to
lend his support to such preparations.
My defense colleagues, and
particularly my learned friend von Metzler, in his defense motion submitted
yesterday, have emphatically and convincingly shown that, up to now, the
prosecution has in no way substantiated its statement, or furnished proof in
this respect.
The Tribunal, however, has not yet decided this point. If
it should become necessary later, I shall — in fulfillment of my duty as
defense counsel — present evidence showing that the technical tasks and
achievements of the defendant Schneider in his sphere of work served peaceful
aims in peacetime, and in no way served to prepare aggressive war. Neither from
his work nor from any other source was Schneider able to recognize the
aggressive intentions of Germany's political leaders. The defense will show
that even in wartime he only complied, like millions of other Germans, with the
orders of his Government and fulfilled his duties as a citizen. These facts
exonerate Schneider from responsibility in all parts of count one of the
indictment.
With regard to count two of the indictment, I shall
probably examine the defendant only briefly as witness, because the events
relating thereto dealt with by the prosecution do not in any way fall within
his sphere of work. In answer to the question of the Tribunal, he himself
pleaded not guilty under this count. In my final plea, I shall establish the
correctness of his answer, based on the evidence of the prosecution and the
entire defense counsel.
Finally, I shall refer again to count three of
the indictment and prove the nature and limits of Schneider's responsibility,
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