DECREES, REGULATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
[Verfuegungen, Anordnungen, Bekanntgaben]
Vol. 2, Pages 131-132.
Preparatory Measures for the Solution of the Jewish Problem in
Europe—Rumors About the Position of the Jews in the East.
V.I. 66/881 of the 9 Oct., 1942
In the course of the wyork on the final solution of the Jewish problem* discussions about "very strict measures" against the Jews, especially in the Eastern territories, have lately been taking place within the population of the various areas of the Reich. Investigations showed that such discussions—mostly in a distorted and exaggerated form—were passed on by soldiers on leave from various units committed in the East, who had the opportunity to eye-witness these measures.
It is conceivable that not all "Blood Germans" are capable of demonstrating sufficient understanding for the necessity of such measures, especially not those parts of the population which do not have the opportunity of visualizing bolshevist atrocities on the basis of their own observations. -In order to be able to counter-act any formation of rumors in this connection, which frequently arte of an intentional, prejudiced character, the following statements are issued for information about the present state of affairs:
For approx. 2000 years, a-so-far unsuccessful battle has been waged against Judaism. Only since 1933 have we started to find ways and means in order to enable a complete separation of Judaism from the German masses.
The work toward a solution which has previously been accomplished can in the main be divided as follows:
1. The repulsion of Jews from the individual spheres of living of the German people. The laws issued by the lawmakers are hereby to be the basis, which guarantees that future generations will also be protected from a possible new overflooding by the enemy.
2. The attempt to completely drive out the enemy from the area of the Reich. In view of the only very limited living space [Lebensraum] at the disposal of the German people it was hoped this problem could be solved in the main by speeding up the Jewish emigration.
Since the outbreak of war in 1939 these possibilities of emigration decreased to an ever greater extent. On the other hand, in addition to the living space [Lebensraum] of the German people, their economic space [Wirtschaftsraum] grew steadily, so
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that in view of the large numbers of Jews residing in these territories a complete repulsion of the Jews by emigration is no longer possible. '
Since even our next generation will not be so close to this problem and will no longer see it clearly enough on the basis of past experiences and since this matter which has now started rolling demands clearing up, the whole problem must still be solved by the present generation.
A complete removal op withdrawal of the millions of Jews residing in the European economic space [Wirtschaftsraum] is therefore an urgent need in the fight for the security of existence of the German people.
Starting with the territory of the Reich and proceeding to the remaining European countries included in the final solution, the Jews are currently being deported to large camps which have already been established or which are to be established in the East, where they will either be used for work or else transported still farther to the East. The old Jews as well as Jews with high military decorations [Kriegsauszeichnungen] (Iron Cross 1st Class, (E.K.I.) Golden Medal for Valor. [Goldene Tapferkeitsmedaille], etc.), are currently being resettled in the city of Theresienstadt which is located in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
It lies in the very nature of the matter that these problems which in part are very difficult, can be solved only with ruthless severity in the interest of the final security of our people.