Berlin, 26 Nov., 1942.
The Beichsminister for the Occupied Eastern territories
1/862/2 g
SECBET
a. To the Beichskommissar for the Eastland [Ostland]
Riga
b. The Beichskommissar for the Ukraine Rowno
Be: Treatment of Poles in the occupied Eastern territories.
Several reports which I have received concerning the behaviour of the Polish population in the occupied Eastern territories have caused me to take a fundamental stand on the problem of the treatment of the Poles who live in the occupied Eastern territories and to point out the necessity of pursuing a uniform policy in this connection.
The Polish people which has always seen its political chance in a fight against Germany and the history of which is full of an age-old antagonism against Germany has carried on a struggle
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of extermination against the German minority in former Poland unparalleled in its cruelty, and it has plotted the present war at the instigation of England. Although they have lost their part of the war, nevertheless Polish, soldiers are even today fighting on the English and Soviet Russian side against Germany while the Polish population residing in the annexed territories and in the Generalgouvernment tries with all means at its disposal to make difficulties for the German command by passive resistance as well as by isolated acts of terror and sabotage and thus to weaken the power of resistance of the Reich.
In the occupied Eastern territories the situation is similar. Notwithstanding their display of loyalty and outward willingness to cooperate, here too, the Poles have often exploited their official positions in the German administration and in the native auxiliary administration as well as in the field of economics, in order to gain advantages of all kinds (e.g. in the distribution of food and lodgings as well as in the assignment of well-paid jobs) for themselves and their fellow citizens. The Polish personnel used in the transportation system and especially on the railroads, has put itself to a high degree at the service of la whispering propaganda very detrimental to German interests and it has strongly contributed to the creation and spread of rumors. This Polish personnel employed in transportation has likewise maintained contact with the Poles living outside the occupied Eastern territories as well as with the illegally working Polish resistance movement and with the Soviet Partisan groups. Finally, the Poles have successfully managed, among the native population, to increase, by clever agitation, the discontent existing here and there over measures of the German military government necessitated by the war, and to whip up the minds of the people against the German leadership.
The dangers to the interest of the Reich arising from the exertion of such influence and pressure by the Poles are obvious. In many cases these dangers are understandable to their full extent only in their connection with the entire Polish resistance movement, and will become apparent only after a considerable stretch of time, due to the extremely difficult and ethnically often very confused conditions in Eastern Europe.
Neither the fact that the majority of the Poles generally possess a better knowledge of German, a more refined demeanour and more attractive clothing than the indigenous population, nor the fact that some Poles like to point to their German military decorations won during the last war and to their alleged ties of
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relationship to Germany, nor their own external politeness and industriousness should deceive the German leadership as to the true intentions of the Poles, who because of their national character and their history have a leaning- towards conspiracy, have learned during the period in which they lived under German, Austrian or Russian rule, to worm their way into the confidence of the ruling class through a clever adaptation to prevalent currents, and then to exploit for themselves the weaknesses and differences of opinions there observed. To a particularly high degree this is true of the Polish women who especially in the period of the Polish fight for independence have lent themselves to political machinations under the cloak of charitable works, and who were always ready to render service to the cause of Poland. For obvious reasons it is not possible to reach a final solution of the Polish problem in its entirety during the war. All the more important, on the other hand, is an unequivocal attitude of all members of the German military government towards the Poles and a clear and continuous execution of those directives considered necessary in the treatment of the Poles, as soon as the opportunity for replacement by other forces is present. I therefore pronounce it a duty to observe the following directives:
1. As quickly and completely as possible all Poles are to be removed from positions which afford an insight into the essential political and economic setup or which in some form or other give them important influence in matters of administration, culture or economy. In particular mayors, Kreis-and-Rayon chiefs of Polish nationality or pro-Polish leaders of larger industrial plants and estates will be dismissed and replaced by members of other nationalities (Lithuanians, White Ruthenians, Ukrainians). The same holds for persons of Polish nationality holding positions in the German or native administration; especially for former students, teachers, clerics, and other members of the Polish intelligentsia.
2. In view of the enormous tasks which have to be performed in the occupied Eastern territories, the dismissed Poles will be used in other fields, just as generally the employment of the Polish population in agriculture and other fields involving the assurance of the food supply and military economy is to be guaranteed.
3. The Polish school system will not be developed and extended beyond four years of primary school. Exceptions in military technical training may be admitted.
4. The foundation of Polish newspapers, periodicals and pamphlets is prohibited. The newspaper "Coniec Codzienny"
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published in Polish under German supervision is to be distributed exclusively to Poles living in the Wilna district.
5. The Polish language is to be used only in those localities which have an undisputed Polish majority. It must neither be put on the same level nor be preferred to the use of Lithuanian, White-Ruthenian, or Ukrainian.
Poles will not be required to learn German or the language of the country, but are to continue to use Polish.
I am not unaware of the fact that the execution of these directives will in many cases be connected with great difficulties. It is, however, a question of an incessantly to-be pursued aim, which must never be lost sight of merely for reasons of convenience. For the political harm of Polish activity usually outweighs the momentary economic advantage. '
It is requested that this order of which 100 extra copies are enclosed, will be fully brought to the attention of all agencies under you and that report be made to me on the measures taken for the execution of these directives.
Signed : Rosenberg certified Szymaniak Government Head Inspector
Instructions to the commissars of the Eastland and the Ukraine to eliminate Poles from leading positions, prohibit Polish publications, limit their education, and restrict the use of the language
Authors
Alfred Rosenberg (Commissioner for Ideological Training; Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories)
Alfred Rosenberg
Baltic German architect, Nazi politician and ideologue (1893-1946)
- Born: 1893-01-12 (Tallinn)
- Died: 1946-10-16 (Nuremberg)
- Country of citizenship: Nazi Germany; Russian Empire; Weimar Republic
- Occupation: administrator; architect; journalist; opinion journalist
- Member of political party: German Workers' Party; Nazi Party
- Member of: Corps Rubonia; Militant League for German Culture; Thule Society
- Participant in: Beer Hall Putsch; International Military Tribunal (role: defendant)
- Military rank: ObergruppenfĂĽhrer
Date: 26 November 1942
Literal Title: Re: The treatment of Poles in the occupied Eastern territories.
Defendant: Alfred Rosenberg
Total Pages: 3
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: EC-336
HLSL Item No.: 451115
Notes:This document was not entered as evidence in the trial.
Trial Issues
Germanization of persons, property, or occupied territories (IMT, NMT 3, 8) Persecution of political, religious, and ethnic ("racial") groups (IMT, NM…
Document Summary
EC-336: Secret instructions from Rosenberf to Lohse and Koch re Treatment of Poles in the Occupied Eastern Territories