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interfered with by industry. We had four to six minion Communist
votes at the time, if I remember correctly, and, because of the unemployment,
we were drifting even further toward the left. Therefore, Hitler distrusted
industry. He was convinced that industry's only interest was to fill the
pockets of the big capitalists, and that is what he wanted to avoid. In the
case of certain big firms, he had a further interest, especially in the I.G.
Farben, since Farben's international relations indicated that it would not keep
all the state secrets, and things that happened in Germany would become known
abroad. I was once present when Hitler mentioned I.G. Farben by name, and said
that he thought this company was much too international. He mentioned the close
collaboration with the United States of North America.
Q. Witness,
pardon me, please. May I draw your attention to the question of authority, and
acceptance of suggestions made by industry?
A. Hitler was interested in
technical questions. In general, he was not interested in industrial questions.
Hitler's point of view was that he could give orders to Germany at all times,
which absolutely had to be executed.
Q. And that was done?
A. Industry, of course,
resisted now and then and, at times, tried to reduce this pressure, but
industry had no other choice — they had to submit.
Q. And that was
given a legal basis?
A. Yes.
Q. That was the system of compulsory
regulations?
A. And the new penal regulations.
DR. BOETTCHER:
Thank you. No further questions.
DR. RUDOLF DIX (counsel for defendant
Schmitz) : Witness, the question which I intended to ask you, you have more or
less answered in the examination by my colleague, Dr. Boettcher. But in the
interest of brevity, Dr. Boettcher, on several occasions, stopped you. I would
like you to elaborate on this subject of Hitler's attitude toward industry,
toward the exponents of capitalism. Therefore, I should like to ask you what
was Hitler's personal attitude toward the social class to which these gentlemen
belonged, as big industrialists? Have you anything to add to what you have
already said? If so, please do so; if not, then say so, and that will settle my
question.
WITNESS MILCH: I believe I have nothing to add. He distrusted
them and they were alien to him. |
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