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power, a vast reorganization in the economic life of Germany took
place. With the cooperation of industry, the economic structure rapidly moved
into a program of autarchy which by 1936 began to be almost completely ruled by
considerations of military economy. The world sat by in fear as Germany, in
disregard of the Treaty of Versailles which Hitler repudiated publicly, amassed
the greatest striking military power ever assembled by an aggressor nation
during time of peace. I. G. Farbenindustrie, A. G., a great chemical combine,
with tremendous resources, staffed with skilled scientists and technicians of
superlative ability, during the period from 1933 to 1939, underwent an ominous
transition from a giant institution serving the cause of peace to an even more
powerful instrumentality to serve the rapidly developing cause of war. As will
be shown in more detail, Farben was integrated in the governmental planning and
preparation for war and became one of Hitler’s greatest assets in the
carrying out of his plan of aggressive war. The accomplishments of Farben were
a substantial prerequisite for Hitler to proceed with his notorious policies of
force and aggression.
The substantial acts of participation by Farben
in the preparation of Nazi Germany for war cannot be successfully denied. All
armament is preparedness for war, and Farben was preeminent in the program of
armament. Rearmament, of itself, is not a crime and whether this preparation or
planning was known to have been for aggressive war is the main issue. The proof
establishes that, with initiative and great efficiency, Farben participated in
the planning and preparation of Germany’s armament program in the all
important chemical sector and in related fields of indispensable raw materials.
It furthermore engaged systematically in numerous activities showing sympathy
with and furthering the objectives and ideology of the Nazi regime.
The
aims of conquest and suppression of other nations which animated the Hitler
regime have been established by the IMT judgment, as have been the inhumane and
criminal policies carried out by that regime in many victimized countries
during the war and the determination of the regime to perpetuate the domination
and suppression of other nations after the war. Farben's substantial role in
creating Germany's tremendous war potential was a decisive factor in making
possible the tactical and policy decisions of aggression whereby Hitler plunged
the world into war; Farben actively and substantially participated in reaping
the fruits of aggression by illegal participation in the spoliation of occupied
countries; and Farben, owing to its special position, exercised its own
initiative in making as early as June 1940, concrete plans for the permanent
economic exploitation of countries to be placed under Nazi domination after the
anticipated victorious conclusion of the wars of aggression. |
1215 |
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