Archive/File: imt/tgmwc/tgmwc-06/tgmwc-06-55.02
Last-Modified: 1997/12/17

I wish to read into the record four lines from Paragraph 3 of this
Count which begins on Page 219 of your document book. This concerns
the Polish-German declaration of 26th January, 1934:

     "Both governments are convinced that the relations between their
     respective countries will in this manner develop fruitfully, and
     lead to the establishment of neighbourly relationships which will
     contribute to the well-being, not only of both their countries,
     but of the other peoples of Europe as well."
     
The defendant von Neurath signed this declaration on behalf of
Germany. I now deem it necessary to read into the record an excerpt
from a declaration made by the defendant Goering during his visit to
Warsaw on 16th February, 1937. You will find this excerpt which I want
to quote on Page 220, Volume II, Part 1, of the document book. Goering
made this declaration to the representatives of the Polish Government.
I quote:

     "On the German side, there is no desire whatever to deprive
     Poland of any part of her territory. Germany is completely
     reconciled to her present territorial status. Germany would not
     attack Poland, and has no intention of seizing the `Polish
     Corridor.' We do not want the `Corridor.' I say sincerely and
     categorically that we do not need the `Corridor.' Just as Germany
     trusts and believes that Poland has no intention of seizing
     
                                                            [Page 213]
                                                                      
     Eastern Prussia and the remaining part of Silesia, so can Poland
     believe that Germany has no intention of depriving her of any
     rights and possessions."
     
I think that Paragraph 6 of the Polish official report also deserves
to be read in full (this paragraph is on Page 220 of your document
book):

     "Point 6: On 5th November, 1937, the Polish and German
     Governments issued identical declarations concerning the
     treatment of minorities. The declaration concludes with the
     following passage:
     
     'The above principles should in no way affect the duties of the
     minorities, of complete loyalty to the State to which they
     belong. They have been inspired by a desire to secure for the
     minorities equitable conditions of life, and harmonious
     collaboration with the nationals of the State in which they live
     -- a state of affairs which will contribute to the progressive
     strengthening of the friendly and good-neighbourly relations
     between Poland and Germany.'"
     
On 2nd September, 1939, Polish anti-aircraft units brought down a
German aircraft near Poznan. A secret order issued by the Wehrmacht
was found on the pilots. It contained, among others, the following
sentence (this quotation you will find on Page 224, Volume I, Part 2
of the document book):

     "Reservists of German race will attempt to avoid being mobilised
     in the Polish Army, and should join the German Army."
     
Then follows the detailed enumeration of insignia by which all people
"who assist the German Army" would be recognised. The order states
that they will be supplied with arms -- I quote one paragraph as it is
stated in the original Polish report on the same page, i.e., 224.

     "(2) For weapons -- pistols of type Nos. 14 and 34 and also, in
     certain cases, with grenades of the Czech type."
     
It is quite obvious that the latter was done for the purpose of
provocation. The order bore the signature of "Major Reiss."

Inasmuch as this fact is ascertained in the manner provided for by
Article 21 of the Charter, I request you to accept the fact stated by
me as evidence.

I wish to submit to the Tribunal one more excerpt from Exhibit USSR
93. The part quoted is on Page 7, Paragraph 23, and it bears the
customary red pencil mark used in our work for convenience. You will
find that quotation on Page 223, Volume I, Part 2, of the document
book:

     "Evidence gathered by the Polish Army in the course of the
     campaign of September, 1939, indicates the following:
     
     (a) As regards the diversionist activities in South-western
     Poland, those activities were organised beforehand and were only
     carried out by agents dropped by parachutes. German espionage was
     organised by special emissaries posing as traveling teachers,
     trained spies and diversionists. Every year a number of young
     Germans would leave every German colony to proceed to the Reich.
     There they received special training, and upon their return to
     Poland, did penance. They contacted the local authorities, told
     them about Fascist cruelties, and expressed their joy at having
     returned to their 'dear Homeland.' But these same Germans
     retained constant contact with their agents in Germany, and
     supplied them with information either by mail or through the
     traveling teachers.
     
     (b) Besides the agents who were recruited among the young people
     and appointed to collaborate with the German section of the
     population, there also existed a group of leaders and
     instructors, consisting of officers who were supplied with
     passports, and who came to Poland long before the outbreak of
     hostilities."
     
                                                            [Page 214]
                                                                      
Thanks to evidence discovered in the course of investigation, the
Polish Government has ascertained that the main diversionist nucleus
consisted of Hitler Youth groups known as the "Hitler Jugend." The
defendant Schirach was, as we know, the leader of this Fascist
organisation.

In Paragraph 21 of our Exhibit USSR 93, we find information on this
subject, which deserves to be read into the record(Volume I, Part 2,
Page 223). Here are the details relating to the organisation of the
system of diversionist activities:

     "(a) The agents were recruited mainly from among the groups of
     young people known as the `Hitler Jugend,' and also from amongst
     men and women, mainly of German nationality, who were recruited
     in Poland.
     
     (b) Special courses, lasting from two weeks to three months, were
     organised for these agents on Reich territory.
     
     (c) The members of these courses were split up into two
     categories: The first consisted of individuals possessing a
     thorough knowledge of the Polish language, who were entrusted
     with special missions to be carried out in the rear of the Polish
     Army. The second category consisted of individuals who were to
     mingle with the crowds of Poles fleeing from the war and the air
     raids.
     
     (d) Shortly before the war, the students went through an
     additional course of instruction in special camps, where they
     were assigned to 'districts for diversionist activities.'"

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