 |
|
| In view of this conclusion it is unnecessary to decide in this case
whether the Vichy government was legally established according to the
requirements of the French constitution. |
| |
FOREIGN CIVILIAN WORKERS AND
CONCENTRATION
CAMP INMATES |
| |
After weighing the evidence the Tribunal finds that the facts on
this aspect of the case as summarized by the prosecution have, in essence, been
proved.
During the war, Dutch, Belgian, and French workers employed in
Germany were referred to as western workers. The Czechs in many ways were
treated by the Krupp firm like western workers, although upon some occasions
they were subjected to the same mistreatment as so-called eastern workers.
Among the western workers, a distinction was made between “free”
labor and “convict” labor. The “free” workers were treated
better than all of the other classes of labor with which we are concerned here.
They had better rations and more liberty. They were, however, not free to leave
their work and were also otherwise deprived of many basic rights. The
employment of those foreign workers who entered and stayed in the employ of the
Krupp organization on a genuinely voluntary basis was, of course, not
reprehensible. But an ever increasing majority of the “free workers”
were compelled to sign contracts, and if they refused to do so, they were
liable to be sent to penal camps. At the end of their contractural period of
employment, the “contract” was unilaterally considered renewed. If
one of them failed to report for work, he was treated as “slacking,”
and also deprived of the small and insufficient food rations. Often, they would
be reported to the Gestapo. Those who left their employment with the Krupp firm
were charged with “breach of contract” and frequently were sent to a
punishment camp maintained by the Gestapo. In the punishment camps, they were
treated very badly. Their rations there were the same as those given to eastern
workers. They were confined behind barbed wire; their movements were severely
restricted; they were beaten frequently; and the distances they were required
to walk to and from work were long. They were mistreated in many other
respects, such as being denied packages and letters, forbidden to attend
religious services, and given no pay.
Until the spring of 1942, only
certain groups of so-called western workers were actually compelled to go into
Germany. At that time, Sauckel’s Labor Mobilization Program became
effective, and |
1396 |
. 
