 |
he could never come in contact within the plant of Hoechst; questions
of patents, future contracts, production, statistics, and so forth. He
contacted official governmental agencies in the plants, et cetera, and that
could only be of use to a young man. He was later relieved by Dr. Gorr, who
testified here as a witness.
Q. The appointment of Dr. Bruening did not
mean the particular significance of Vermittlungsstelle W, and was not intended
to emphasize it?
A. No.
Q. Did you participate personally in
the work of Vermittlungsstelle W?
A. No, I didn't concern myself with
it at all. Dr. Struss has already testified that he knew, exactly, that for the
first time, I entered the Vermittlungsstelle W after the outbreak of the war;
and that's what I remember myself. |
| |
| (Recess) |
| |
Q. Before the recess we spoke about Vermittlungsstelle W. I have only
a few more very brief questions regarding this point. From your testimony so
far, Dr. ter Meer, I gained the impression that the prosecution overestimated
and did not understand the significance of Vermittlungsstelle W. Is that
correct?
A. Yes, that is absolutely my opinion also.
Q. In the
case of Vermittlungsstelle W, was that really only a central agency regulating
business transactions of Farben with the authorities?
A. Yes. It was a
customary arrangement with Farben. It arose because of the large number of our
plants where, in all events, we had to take coordinated measures and, just as I
stated this morning, in the case of air-raid precaution measures, I asked Mr.
Jaehne to take over this central direction for all plants. In the same manner
here, where there were numerous authorities on the one hand, and numerous
plants on the other, it was easily possible that misunderstandings and errors
might have arisen and, therefore, it was a necessity to have this agency for
order and coordination. Some representatives of this Vermittlungsstelle,
mediating agency, have been here as witnesses who worked as collaborators and
as associates in the offices, and whose acquaintance we made here in the
courtroom. It was certainly not a directing agency of Farben
(Leitungsstelle). |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
Q. Did you consider Vermittlungsstelle W as a means for an aggressive
war?
A.
No. |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
1144 |
. 
