Memoranda concerning the conduct of Councillor Fritz Mueller in the conscription of workers, including the burning of houses in Biloserka

II Pers. c—Journal No. 322 To Leadership Staff Politics Unter den Linden 63
Berlin 12 Nov 1943 Secret
[pencilled note illegible] SECRET
Chief of Leadership staff politics Journal No. P1755/43 g Rel. 15. II 1943
Inclosure
Subject: Encroachment by District Commissioner Government Councillor Fritz Mueller in connection with the national campaign for the utilization of labor.
Reference: Your letter of 22 July 1943—I 1006/43 g.
In connection with my letter of 27 Sep. 1943—II Pers, Journal No. 322—I am sending you enclosed a copy of the teletype of RKU of 29 Oct. 1943—I 7252 Journal No. 637/43 geh, for your information.
According to the explanations of RKU, the conduct of government Councillor Mueller is no cause for disciplinary action against him, I therefore consider the case as closed.
Your files are herewith returned. '
By order
1. RKU' wants to transfer district Commissioner Mueller for reasons which he will bring later.
Await report.
Signed: Jonnes [Rubber stamp]
Ministry for occupied eastern territories
2. Suspend until 10 Jan.
Official Kreis Employees
240
290—PS
Copy
SECRET
RKU Rowno 13-929 29 Oct. 1943—1700-
Ministry of Eastern affairs Berlin
Subject: Alleged encroachment of district commissioner government councillor Mueller in Kremiancz in connection with the national campaign for the utilization of labor.
Reference: Decree of 27 Sep 1943—II Pers. c Journal No. 322—
For various reasons which I will report later, it is contemplated to replace government councillor Mueller as district commissioner in Kromianez in the near future.
The case on hand is by no means fit to be used for official actions against District Commissioner Mueller. First of all, in my opinion Mueller is not to be considered guilty in this case. It cannot be established, either by the letter from the village Bilo-serka, which letter caused this investigation, nor by the conduct of district commissioner Mueller, himself, that he was present at the happenings in Biloserka. He therefore cannot be held personally responsible. But even if Mueller had been present at the burning of houses in connection with the national conscription in Biloserka, this should by no means lend to the relief of Mueller from office. It is mentioned specifically in a directive of the Commissioner General in Lusk of 21 Sep 1942, referring to the extreme urgency of the national conscription.
"Estates of those who refuse to work are to be burned, their relatives are to be arrested as hostages and to be brought to forced labor camps." It is obvious that this decree was merely directive in nature and was not a binding order of the individual commissioner to decide according to his own discretion, when the interest of the conscription, such severe measures were to be applied.
I request therefore to consider the case closed.
Reich Commissioner Rowno I 7252 Journal No. 637/43 geh.
My order signed: Paltzo
to P i 755/439 [in pencil]
241