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informed of the ramifications of the Nordisk-Lettmetall plan, and
that his action in expressly or impliedly approving Farben’s participation
connects him criminally within the meaning of Control Council Law No. 10.
Schmitz is found Guilty under count two of the indictment.
Von
Schnitzler. Von Schnitzler bears a major responsibility for Farben's
spoliative activities in Poland and in France. He was the leading figure
responsible for the formulation of Farben's general policy designed to achieve
domination of the dyestuffs and chemical industries of Europe. He took the
initiative in developing plans for the acquisition of the Polish property. Only
8 days after the invasion of Poland, he recommended that the Reich authorities
be approached concerning Farben’s operation of Polish dyestuffs factories
expected soon to fall into German hands. He urged the appointment of Farben or
Farben nominees, as trustees for the Polish factories. He conducted or
supervised all negotiations transitional to the final acquisition of Boruta,
including transmitting personally the proposals for a long-term lease in favor
of a Farben subsidiary to be created for this purpose. He personally signed the
contract for the permanent acquisition of Boruta. He recommended that the Wola
plant be closed down permanently, and recommended transferring equipment from
both Wola and Winnica to Farben plants in Germany. In all these matters he
aggressively incited the government to action. These facts are sufficient to
demonstrate his guilt in regard to the Polish acquisitions.
The
evidence does not establish von Schnitzler’s criminal complicity in the
acquisition by Farben of properties in Norway, nor is it sufficient to warrant
conviction in connection with the charges of spoliation in Alsace-Lorraine.
In the Francolor acquisition, von Schnitzler also played the leading
role. He was Farben's chief representative at the meeting with representatives
of the French and German Governments and representatives of the French
dyestuffs industry. At these meetings methods of intimidation were used as part
of a plan to force the French to meet Farben’s demands. Von Schnitzler was
fully aware of the fact that competent governmental authorities in occupied
France had been requested to withhold raw material from the French dyestuff
factories, to prevent shipment of goods into the unoccupied zone, and to make
things generally difficult for the French in order that they would be willing
to negotiate. Von Schnitzler was a party to the plan to delay the opening of
negotiations with the purpose of making the plight of the French more desperate
in order that they would be receptive to Farben’s demands. When
negotiations were finally opened at Wiesbaden he was fully aware of the
atmosphere of intimidation created by holding the meeting under the auspices of
the Armistice Commission. |
1156 |
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