 |
A. Yes, I was sent the document because Colonel Letis drafted it and
because I probably explained to him that the Colonel was mistaken.
Q.
Now do you still have before you Exhibit 1910, NI-14245, which I handed to you
a minute ago? Now there are two signatures to that letter, yours and Dr.
Roell's.
A. Yes. Q. Now we ask you, is that Dr. Roell listed on that
letter the same Mr. Roell who has made the affidavit which is in your Document
Book as Document OA-801, Ambros Defense Exhibit 172? Is that the same person?
A. Yes, that is the same Dr. Roell.
Q. Now in the winter of
1942, did you not inform Frossard of Francolor that the most important thing
for Francolor was to keep the armament production going?
A. I do not
remember that, but there may have been certain conversations dealing with this
direct or indirect armament as it is contained in this
program. |
| |
| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
Q. Did you not order the Villers plant to be converted to an
armament plant to produce, among other things, phthalic acid?
A. I'm
sorry, from phthalic acid nothing can be produced for armament; only lacquers
and dyestuffs can be produced. But, Mr. Amchan, that belongs to that part
called “window dressing.” You could tell the Army that it's important
for military purposes, but every chemist will be able to prove to you that
other things are produced from phthalic acid, for private and peaceful
purposes; nothing can be produced from phthalic acid that cracks or explodes;
only lacquers and dyestuffs.
Q. Now, I'll show you NI-14240, which we
offer as Prosecution Exhibit 1914;* and I ask you to note in the upper
left-hand side the written notation, “Villers must become an armament
plant.” And I also ask you to note in the middle of the page,
“Phthalic Acid.” Now, does this document refresh your recollection
that the Villers plant was to become an armament plant to produce, amongst
other things, phthalic acid?
A. I cannot follow your argument. I'm
sorry from phthalic acid no armament products can be produced, but formally an
enterprise can be termed “armament enterprise” so that it gets coal,
manpower, and so that the plant is not closed down; but phthalic acid will
never become a preliminary product for armaments. That's a chemical fact.
Q. Now, you refer to “window dressing”. Did you hear that the
military Commander in France, and the military authorities, were engaged in
“window dressing” with respect to the production of the Francolor
plant? |
__________
* Not reproduced
herein.
175 |
. 
