Court IV, Case XI, Ministries Commission
DR. SCHUBERT:I an now coming to document 148 which I offer as exhibit No. II. This is also an affidavit by a former person of Keppler's home town of Eberbach. This is a representative of the Center Party who also discusses their joint work in the municipal administration.
The next document is No. 17 and it is to become exhibit No. III. This is a document on which I place special emphasis. It is the affidavit of a foreman at the Eberbach plant which was managed by Keppler and it describes in detail Keppler's social attitude toward employees and workers, the way he made social reforms. This affidavit shows the respect which Keppler enjoyed from his workers and employees.
The next document is No. 121 which I offer as exhibit No. IV. It also is an affidavit from his time at Eberbach and it was given by a colleague of the municipal council who knew Keppler as a business an, as a politician and employer.
Document 112 I offer as exhibit No. V. This document also refers to Keppler's time at Eberbach. It is an affidavit by the branch director of the Deutsche Bank at Heidelberg. Fremerey had business contacts with Keppler through the bank he directed. The affiant states that the conditions that the plants directed by Keppler in their high credit signified that Keppler left private enterprise in order to become a politician and that he was not bankrupt in economy.
The next document No. 7 is to become exhibit No. VI. This is a character affidavit by Hugo E. Busch owner of an engineering office in Hamburg who knew Keppler for a long time and who especially describes and emphasizes his idealism.
The next document No. 69 will become exhibit No. VII. This is an affidavit of an old acquaintance of Keppler's, Theodor Kraft, a wriest, and this friendship existed since 1925. Here the affiant describes Keppler's personality.
Court IV, Case XI, Ministries Document No. 50 will become exhibit No. VIII.
This is an affidavit by Karl Kromer a collaborator of Keppler's for many years and Kromer points out in this affidavit especially Keppler's social attitude and Keppler used sums and had them transferred to a special account for only social purposes.
Document No. 32 will become exhibit No. XI. This is an affidavit by Artur Axmann a former Reich Youth Leader. This affidavit refers to Keppler's collaboration in the Youth Welfare work and it contains one of Keppler's characteristics in which it seems to be especially interesting to me, that the affiant does not consider Keppler to be suited for tasks requiring harshness and toughness because of his kind character.
Document 153 will become exhibit No. X. This is an affidavit by Dr. Paul Schneider who also was Keppler's collaborator for many years. Schneider mentions Keppler's modesty and he states that Keppler frequently was pushed around by more energetic personalities and he describes a clash between Keppler and the Austrian National Socialist leader Leopold.
Now follow two affidavits by foreigners. Document 16 will become exhibit No. XI. This is an affidavit by a Norwegian by the name of Karl Troye and document No. 134 which I offer as exhibit No. XII which is an affidavit given by Paul Rykens in London. Rykens, a Dutchman, was chairman of the Lever Brothers at London. From the last mentioned document it is especially interesting to see that the affiant points out that in contrast to many leading personalities of the Third Reich Keppler was absolutely decent and honest.
Under Roman II follow several documents about special cases where Keppler intervened for political persecutees.
This is Document 34 which I offer as exhibit XIII. This is the affidavit by Dr. Vits who was in charge of the Court IV, Case XI, Commission "Verlinigte Glanzstaff Fabriken" textile association.
As my next document, document 51 -- this is the affidavit by over, any important construction engineer whose invention Keppler supported. This is to become exhibit XIV. Keppler defended the affiant against political persecution.
Document No. 97 will become exhibit No. XV. This is an affidavit by the engineer Wankel. He was a research engineer in the field of air craft motors who was persecuted politically and who was protected by Keppler.
Document 147 I offer as Exhibit No. XVI. This is an affidavit by Mohring, an inventor of air craft models. Keppler also protected him from persecution by the Gestapo.
Document 142 will become exhibit No. XVII. It is an affidavit by Dr. Mette and Keppler saved Dr. Mette's wife from serving a term of imprisonment because during the war she had assisted a young Dutchman in his escape from a concentration camp.
Document 110 will become exhibit No. XVIII. This is an affidavit by Huthmann which describes the same incident as exhibit XVII which I have just offered previously.
Document 168 I offer as exhibit XIX. This is an affidavit by the former chairman of the German Trustee Agency, Dr. Wilhelm Voss which reports about the fact that Keppler repeatedly actively intervened on behalf of persecutees, Richard Kahn, the director of the Nieders Werke, Geheimrat Gieche, the chief of the A.E.G, Neumann, the president of the Wiener Merkurbank.
The following document No. 77 I shall not offer.
The next document which I intend to offer is document - Now follow a number of documents which deal with the question whether large circles abroad had confidence in Hitler.
The first document which I want to offer on that subject Court IV, Case XI, Ministries Commission is document 131 which will become exhibit XX.
This is an excerpt from the famous book by Neville Henderson, "Failure of a Mission". It deals with the problem of dictatorship.
The next document, also document 129 which I offer as exhibit 21 is an excerpt from the book, "Failure of a Mission" by Neville Henderson. This excerpt deals with Hitler's success in the elimination of unemployment and it states that Hitler's demand on Austria, the Sudeten territory, Memel and Danzig were based on the principle of self-determination.
Document No. 20 will become exhibit XXII. This is an excerpt from an article, "Facts" by Dr. Pechel in the Deutsche Rundschau, December 1946. The author describes how up to 1939 leading personalities from abroad called upon Hitler and strove to establish contact with him or his government.
That concludes my presentation of documents in document book I.
THE COMMISSIONER:It is almost 3 o'clock now. He will take the fifteen minute recess.
(A recess was taken)
Court IV - Case 11 Commission 1
DR. SCHUBERT:May I continue?
COMMISSIONER CRAWFORD:You may continue.
DR. SCHUBERT:I now come to Document Book II-A. Documents in this Book II are divided into three parts which show political developments in Austria until the annexation in 1938, and although they are of a general nature they refer to Mr. Keppler's activities in Austrian affairs.
The first document, 159, is offered as Exhibit No. 23. It is an excerpt from the book of an American, Nathanial P. Clough. I want to quote a short excerpt from this book, on page 5. The author writes, and I quote: "There could be no more obvious violation of the right of self-determination than that decision of the Allied and associated powers in accordance with which two sections of one and the same nation were forbidden to realize a union desired by both sections. In this connection there is also the important fact to be considered, that at the time it was very doubtful whether Austria was at all capable of standing on her own feet."
The next document, 164, is offered as Exhibit 24. It contains eight historical maps which show the affinity of the area which in 1938 came into the German Reich as Austria with the German Reich in the course of centuries. These maps are compiled in an affidavit by the historian Professor Freiherr von Richthofen, who certifies to their authenticity. And then follow a number of documents which reveal how the Austrian and German people, confident in Wilson's Fourteen Points, desired their reaffiliation.
To begin with, 161, which is offered as Exhibiy 25, is an excerpt from a book of the American, Robert Lansing: "The Peace Negotiations." This excerpt contains Wilson's Fourteen Points.
The next document, 136, is offered as Exhibit 26; Austrian law of 12 November, 1918, in which the government ruled that Austria is part of the German republic. This law was submitted to the German Court IV - Case 11 Comm.
1 national assembly.
The next document, 37, is offered as Exhibit 27. This is a decision of the Weimar National Assembly of 21February, 1919, which is an agreement with the Austrian resolution offered as Exhibit 26.
Document No. 38, offered as Exhibit 28, contains a further Austrian law dated 12 March, 1919, in which Deutschoesterreich is determined as part of the German Reich.
The next document, 40, offered as Exhibit 29, contains Article 61 of the Weimar Constitution, according to which: "following its renunion Deutschoesterreich will be admitted into the Reichsrat," which reveals that the Reich Constitution made arragnements for the reunion of Austria with Germany.
The next document, 31, is offered as Exhibit 30. It is an excerpt from a book by the former Austrian Chancellor, Schuschnigg. The book is called "Dreimal Oesterrich."
MR. GANTT:Defense counsel and I have agreed that the entire book "Three Times Austria" will be put at the disposal of the Prosecution. It is not necessary for me to make any objection at all.
DR. SCHUBERT:The next document I offer in evidence is 125, as Exhibit 31. It is a statement by the German Foreign Minister Count Brockdorff-Rantzau, from which I would like to quote the following brief passage, on page 33 of the document book, the upper third.
I quote: "When President Wilson announced his Fourteen Points"-I skip one phrase -- "no thinking statesmen among you or among us could but realize that on the strength of this program, on the strength of the nations' right of self-determination we have the right to reunite."
The documents following show that the reunion of German and Austria, which was endeavored as early as 1918, failed because of the opposition of the Allies. I offer Document 41 as Exhibit 32. It is Clemenceau's note concerning a protest against Article 61 of the Weimar Constitution, which I offered as Exhibit 29.
Court IV - Case 11 Comm. 1 Document No. 42 is offered as Exhibit 33.
It is a protocol of the year 1919 concerning Article 61, paragraph 2, of the German Reich Constitution. On the part of the German Reich it is recognized that this regulation cannot be reconciled with Article 80 of the Treaty of Versailles.
Document No. 31 is offered as Exhibit 34. This is an Austrian document of October 21, 1919, in which the Deutschoesterreich draws a conclusion from the opposition of the reunion of Germany with Austria.
Document 88, offered as Exhibit 35, is an excerpt from the book mentioned, "Peace Negotiations," by Robert Lansing. Lansing states: "There could hardly be a more open repudiation of the alleged right of self-determination than the refusal to let Germany and Austria unite." The memorandum about this was written by Lansing in September of 1918.
Document 127 is offered as Exhibit 36, an excerpt from Henderson's "Failure of a Mission," in which Henderson arrives at the same conclusion.
Document 93 is offered as Exhibit 37, an excerpt from the book: "Factors in German History," by Barrachough, an English professor of history who also states that the opposition to the reunion was a contradiction of the rights of self-determination.
Document 157 is offered as Exhibit 38. It is an excerpt from the book of the famous English historian Trevelyan, who enumerates great errors of the 1919 peace conference, in which he concludes, "Austria's refusal to joint with the Reich...." The subsequent documents show how the desire for a reunion lived on in the people of Austria and Germany in spite of this resistance.
The first document, 1, which is offered as Exhibit 39, contains an excerpt from a book of the Jewish-German historian, Professor Dr. Nawiasky.
Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI The next Document Number 48 is offered as Exhibit No. 40.
This document shows that in 1921 in the Austrian corners of Tyrol and Salzburg, there were plebiscites which showed a tremendous majority for the reunion.
The next Document Number 43 is offered as Exhibit 41. It contains the so-called Geneva Protocol, a treaty in which Austria was forced to join in with Britain and Czechoslovakia in order to receive a loan from the League of Nations which she needed for her economic independence.
These Geneva protocols show that Austria had to pledge herself once again not to surrender her independence.
Document 116 is offered as Exhibit No. 42. It is on page 58, but not marked.
It is another excerpt from the book already mentioned by Schuschnigg, "Dreimal Oesterreich". It contains a statement by the then Social Democrat Dr. Renner, now President of Austria, concerning this obligation into which Austria had to enter according to the Geneva Protocol and Renner's statements which are quite opposing.
The next Document 36, is offered as Exhibit 43. It is an excerpt from Gustav Stresemann's "Vermaechtniss". Stresemann was German Foreign Minister from 1923 to 1929.
I quote very briefly, page 61, a comment made by Stresemann to the French President, Poincare.
It will be found on page 61, on approximately the middle of the page.
I quote:
"The overwhelming majority in Germany and Austria is in favor of the union.
One must differentiate in political life between political realities and sentimental values.
About one thing, M.
Poincare, you must not have any doubts, namely that any demonostration on the part of the Germans in Vienna will always cause enthusiasm".The next document 35 is offered as Exhibit 44, an excerpt from a book by the later German Foreign Secretary Julius Curtius, concer ning a customs union between Germany and Austria, ending in 1931 and Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI which also failed as a result of allied opposition and when the economic crisis in Austria necessitated new loans for Austria which would only be granted under certain conditions.
The next Document 103 is offered as Exhibit 45. It is an excerpt from a book published in 1930 called "Die Anschlussfrage" (The Question of a Reunion) from which several additional excerpts will be quoted in the next document book which I shall present. Now I have reached the end of this book and I will turn to Document Book IIB.
Document 104 is offered as Exhibit 46. It is also an excerpt from the same book, "Die Anschlussfrage", showing the development of this problem until the year of 1922, that is, until the so-called Geneva Protocols.
The next Document 105 is offered as Exhibit 47. It shows the same trend, 1922 to 1929 until the so-called Hague Convention.
The next document 106, is offered as Exhibit 48. It shows the thoughts of University Professor Dr. Adolf Merkl in Vienna about the legal possibilities of the union. Solution proposed by the Professor in 1930 was actually carried out in the letal field in 1938.
The next document 107 is offered as Exhibit 49. This document describes the organizations which were established in Austria and in Germany and which supported the Austrian and German merger.
Next Document 108 is offered as Exhibit 50. It contains international voices concerning the Austrian question. Very briefly I would like to quote the voice of the former American President, Hoover, page 53, on the bottom, and I quote.
"Hoover stated before the committee of the Senate that the European powers were responsible for Austria's position, for they had forced Austria to sign a treaty which robs the country of its former agricultural resources. Hoover proposed to solve these difficulties Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI by permitting Austria to unite with Bavaria."
Now follow a number of documents which show the political development within Austria from a democracy to a totalitarian system, a system which was not in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the Austrian people.
Document 75 is offered as Exhibit 51. It contains provisions of the Austrian Federal Constitutional Law of January 1930. This constitution is based fully on a parliamentary basis.
The next Document 116, offered as Exhibit 52, contains excerpts from Austrian Constitution of 1934. This Constitution is completely based on a dictatorial basis. It was empowered in 1930 and 1934 and was approved by a rum parliament later on.
Document 109 is offered as Exhibit 53. I consider this document particularly important. It is a document by the engineer Franz Winkler, who was Austrian Vice Chancellor under Chancellors Buresch and Dollfuss. He was not a National Socialist. He described political developments in Austria from 1929 onwards until about 1934/35.
The next Document I offer is 45 which is offered as Exhibit 54. It is a phamphlet of the Austrian National Socialists in the winter of 1935-1936 from which I'd like to quote very briefly on page 110 of the document concerning the demands of the National Socialists in Austria, on the bottom, of the page.
"We demand a free, general and secret vote in order to ascertain the genuine will of the people. A government is thereby to be brought to power, which will enjoy the confidence of the people."
I now come to Document Book IIC. The documents show the period since 1936 and deal in particular with the relations of the Austrian and the German Reich.
Document 114 is offered as Exhibit 55. It is a copy of the Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI so-called gentleman's agreement dated 11 July 1936, which is Prosecution Document Ex. 14.
In the so-called gentleman's agreement a committee was to be set up which was to be composed of Austrians and Germans. The defendant Keppler was a member of this committee.
Document 173, offered as Exhibit 56, is an affidavit by Dr. Gerhard Klopfer, which reveals that the former Nazi leaders of the Austrian Party who came to the Reich were forbidden from influencing critical conditions in Austria. This document is of official importance in connection with cross examination of the witness Hornbostel.
Document 80 is offered as Exhibit 57. It is a memrandum on the reception by Hitler of the Austrian State Secretary Dr. Guido Schmidt in November of 1936.
Document 169 is offered as Exhibit 38. There are minutes dated November 1936, subject: Conference of the German Reich Foreign Minister and the Austrian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, concerning cultural relations, birth and immigration problems and economic problems relating to both countries.
Document 179 is offered as Exhibit 59. It is an excerpt from the documents of Dr. Guido Schmidt's Trial for High Treason before the Vienna People's Court, which was pending in 1946. This collection of documents contains a number of documents which I shall offer in evidence. In the future I shall call this whole collection briefly as the treason trialof Guido Schmidt collection. This report contains a report by the Austrian Ambassador in Berlin about the improved relations between Austria and Germany.
The next Document 177 is offered as Exhibit 60. It is also excerpts from the treason trial of Guido Schmidt. The defendant Dr. Schmidt confirms that on the part of Austria "no consultation with Germany had ever taken place, in spite of an existing obligation to that effect."
Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI Now follow a number of documents which represent the opinions of diplomats, in particular, of foreign diplomats after 1936 regarding the Anschluss and the real frame of mind of the Austrian people.
To begin with Document 22, which is offered as Exhibit 61, as an excerpt of Dr. Guido Schmidt's on his trial for treason. It offered reports of foreign diplomats such as Henderson made to the Austrian Ambassador in Berlin and Salisbury made to the Austrian Ambassador in Berlin and Salisbury made to the Austrian Secretary of State Kimmer.
Document 178 will be omitted.
The next Document, 118, is offered as Exhibit 62. It is an excerpt from the book by Kurt von Schuschnigg entitled, "Austrian Requiem". Schuschnigg describes conversation with the Hungarian statesman Admiral Horthy, who advised him: "for poor Austria.... there is nothing left but to seek unification with the great German Reich...".
Document 79 is offered as Exhibit 63. The detailed protocol was a conference between the English Foreign Minister Lord Halifax and Hitler during their conference on Obersalzberg on 19 November 1937. This document reveals that England clearly recognized that the question of Danzig, Austria and Czechoslovakia would have to be settled, all would be settled, and that England at that time merely expressed the desire that these problems would be settled by peaceful means.
Next Document, Number 2, is offered as Exhibit 74. It is an excerpt from the book of the American statesman Sumner Welles, "The Time for Decision ". The book contains a discussion between Sumner Welles and the Italian Foreign Minister Count Ciano. This reveals that Ciano clearly realized the extent and the number of followers of the idea of the German union which Austria had in Austria.
Document 55, Exhibit 65. It is an excerpt from the IMT Court Commission No. 1 COURT IV, CASE XI transcript by Seyss-Inquart in cross examination.
Seyss-Inquart testifies that Schuschnigg, and I quote on page 66, "Nothing bar the ovations of the population could halt the invasion of Austria by German troops".
Document 191 is offered as Exhibit 66. Excerpt from "Austrian Requiem" by Kurt von Schuschnigg. Schuschnigg, on page 67 of the document book, admits that the idea of union was the most populat topic of all for fourteen years.
Next Document 123 is offered as Exhibit 67. It is an excerpt from the so-called "Papen Memorandum", which was read in the course of Dr. Guido Schmidt's treason trial. Papen too speaks of the popular mood in Austria and that the idea of union had a wide appeal.
The next Document, 191, is offered as Exhibit 68. It is an excerpt from the Austrian Ambassador in London to his government. The Ambassador reports about an article written by the famous reporter Gavin in the "Observer", and which upset the Ambassador apparently. The article itself, contained in the next Document, 175, which I offer as Exhibit 69. The author states that Austria is a German state and that the language of the Austrians and the Bavarians is identical, that a closer association is quite natural and inevitable.
Following documents concern the so-called Berchtesgaden Agreement of March 11, 1938, and subsequent developments. First one, Document 46, is offered as Exhibit 70, an excerpt from Hitler's speech to the German Reichstag, made on January 30, 1938.
Document 128, which is offered as Exhibit 71 -- once again an excerpt from Henderson's "Failure of a Mission". Sharp criticism of Schuschnigg's intended plebescite of March 13, 1938.
Document 53 is offered as Exhibit 72. Once again testimony from Dr. Guido Schmidt's treason trial. Four witnesses state their opinions and make factual statements about the plebescite planned by Schuschnigg. His testimony discloses the criticism of the methods Court Commission 1 COURT IV, CASE XI to be used during the plebescite.
The next Document 54 is offered as Exhibit 73. It is an excerpt from the "Papen Memorandum" which also makes criticism of the plebescite intended by Schuschnigg.
Document 4, which is offered as Exhibit 74. In the article by the Austrian State Councillor Dr. Jury, dated March 1938, that is, shortly before the Anschluss, and contains the attitude of the Austrian National Socialists on Schuschnigg's plebescite.
The following documents describe the materialization of Anchluss. To begin with, Document 5, which I offer as Exhibit 75, Hitler's proclamation of 12 March 1938, Justification of the invasion of Austria. Following Document 162 will not be offered for the moment. I shall offer it when I have an opportunity to show the film which I want to show later on. I agree with the Prosecution too. This document should be offered for identification and so I offer it for identification, Number 76, for identification only. I shall offer it as a full exhibit in connection with the film.
The next Document 6 is offered as Exhibit 77. It is a speech by Mussolini of March 16, 1938, in which Mussolini traces Austrian development until the Anschluss and in which Mussolini, on page 106 of the document expressly emphasizes that March 7, that is, he replied to the Austrian government that Schuschnigg, in response to a question as to his attitude toward the Italian government, that there was a mistake and that this tool would explode in Schuschnigg's hand.
The next Document 176 is offered as Exhibit 78. It is an excerpt from the English journalist Garvin in the "Observer". Garvin states that the separation of Austria from the Reich was an artificial thing, was against nature, history, geography, and economics.
Document 92 is offered as Exhibit 79. Excerpt from the 'Times' Court Commission 1 COURT IV, CASE XI of 30 March 1938, contains speeches from the English House of Lords.
The first one of a speech by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Rodesdale. In order to clarify for the court the speech of the Arthbishop of Canturbury which is in English and which appears only in the German document books -- it is in English in the German document books and so can be found there. There seems to be some confusion in the English document book. I only want to mention that, in his speech, the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that the union of Austria and Germany found the support of the Large majority of the Austrian people and follow a number of statements from ecclesiastic personalities.
COURT IV, CASE XI, COMMISSION I
DR. SCHUBERT:There seems to be some mix-up in the English Document Book. I want to mention that in his speech, the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that the Union of Austria and Germany found the support of the large majority of the Austrian people.
Then follow a number of statements from eccleasiastic personalities. To begin with, Document 24, which is offered as Exhibit 80 is a request by the partisan High Consistory of Austria to the believers of the Protestant faith to vote in favor of the Anschluss. Document 174 is offered as Exhibit 21. It contains a number of statements by Austrian Bishops, in particular a letter by Cardinal Innitzer to Gauleiter Buerckel. That is dated 18 March, 1938. The Bishop states that it is their self-evident national duty for Austrians to state that they are Germans within the German Reich.
Document 23 is offered as Exhibit 82. It is a letter of the Viennese Cardinal Innitzer which corrects a number of foreign statements.
Document 25 is offered as Exhibit 83. It is a statement by the Archbishop of Salzburg about certain statements in the French press.
Document 73 is offered as Exhibit 84. It is an affidavit by Suendermann with the description of the reception of the German troops and the carrying through of the Plebiscite of April 10, 1938, which as the affiant describes was checked by foreign journalists to see whether it was conducted fairly.
Document 49 is offered as Exhibit 85. It contains the official result of the Plebiscite of April 10, 1938.
Document 10 is offered as Exhibit 86. Like the documents following, it contains statements of recognition of foreign states. Exhibit 86 is by the Swiss Federal Government. The Anschluss is acknowledged as historically justified.
Document 27 is offered as Exhibit 87, and it contains notes from the British Ambassador Sir Henderson to Ribbentrop.
Document 163 is offered as Exhibit 88. It is an affidavit by Dr. Eisold concerning a number of cases where foreign consuls visited the COURT IV, CASE XI, COMMISSION I German Embassys in the handing over of the interests of Austrian territory to the German Reich, and a number of cases in which foreign states made economic agreements with Germany regarding Austrian interests.
At the suggestion of the Prosecution I should like to comment that the word "exequatur" means a request of a foreign state to approve a foreign representative which is suggested to that state.
Two further documents containing present -day voices from Austria: Document 30 which I offer as Exhibit 89 is from a memorandum from a high eccleasiastical authority, Dr. Gustav Entz. It concerns the justification and explanation of the attitude of the Austrians before, during and after the Anschluss and of the reasons that led to Anschluss.
Document 87 I offer as Exhibit 90. It is a memorandum from a presentday Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Renner. Both documents deal with the Anschluss.
This brings Document Book II-C to a conclusion. We now come to Book III.
I offer Document 90 as Exhibit 91. That is an affidavit by Langgoth which states that Keppler constantly exerted himself to bring about peaceful relations and mutual understanding in Austria and that the relief scheme bearing his name was a legal establishment.
Document 133 I offer as Exhibit 92. It is an excerpt from the high treason trial of Guido Schmidt. It also deals with the relief mentioned by Langgoth of the previous affidavit.
Document 98 is Exhibit 93, a memorandum by von Weizsaecker on the subject of a meeting of the German-Austrian Committee formed in conformance with Section 10 of the Gentleman's Agreement in Vienna of which Keppler was a member.
Document 115 is offered as Exhibit 94. It's a file note by Weizsaecker about a conference of the committee members with Schuschnigg. In this file note, Weizsaecker states his impressions that beyond assuring the committee of his good-will, Schuschnigg offered nothing further.
The next one, Document 21, is offered as Exhibit 95. It is an COURT IV, CASE XI, COMMISSION I affidavit by Karl Kremer to the effect that Keppler's home was in Berlin and it was only after the Anschluss that he lived for some time in Austria.
Document 100 is offered as Exhibit 96. It is a letter from Keppler to Ribbentrop. From page 14 of the Document Book I'd like to quote the following passage, the second paragraph:
"When in July 1937 the Fuehrer entrusted me with the Austrian political questions within the NSDAP, he expressed the wish that an attempt should be made to solve the problem by evolutionary means, as any other solution would be unthinkable in the long run. Although the chances of finding an evolutionary solution to the Austrian question seemed very unfavorable, I worked consistently in this direction."
The next document 99 is offered as Exhibit 97. This is a memorandum by Keppler of a conference between Hitler, Keppler, Ribbentrop and Leopold, the leader of the Austrian Nazi Party, who was then called away from his position.
Document 15 is offered as Exhibit 98. It is by Fieldmarshal Sperrle. Sperrle was present in the conference at the Obersalzberg on February 1938, and he confirms that contrary to the assertions of the Prosecution, Keppler did not participate in the political discussions.
The documents following refer to Keppler's activity on March 1938. To begin with is No. 13, Document 94, It is an affidavit by General Fieldmarshal von Brauchitsch to the effect that no military orders were received prior to 1938.
The same is confirmed by the next document 67, which I offer as 100.
The next document 96 I offer as Exhibit 101. This document also states that originally Hitler did not intend a complete Austrian Anschluss but only a personal Anschluss by his own person.
Document 117 is offered as Exhibit 102. It is an excerpt from "Austrian Requiem" by Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg which reveals that as early as March 1938, which was long before Keppler's arrival in Berlin, a German ultimatum had been issued.
COURT IV, CASE XI, COMMISSION I Document 122 is offered as Exhibit 103.
It contains excerpts from the high treason trial of Guido Schmidt. These excerpts show, above all, the time of Keppler's arrival of the day in question, what the situation was, and what possible ultimatums were on hand in Vienna at that time.
These documents refer to the interrogation of witnesses of the former Austrian Federal President, Milas.
The next document 57 will be omitted.
The next document 71 is offered as Exhibit 104. It is an affidavit by Grolman concerning a conference in the Reich Chancellery on the afternoon of March 11, 1938.
The next document 126 is offered as Exhibit 105. This document contains copies of telephone conversations, some of which have been offered as Prosecution Exhibit 33. These telephone conversations took place between Vienna and Berlin. This document has a similar purpose as my Document 103 and also refers to the cross examination of the witnesses for Milas.
COURT IV, CASE XI, MINISTRIES COMMISSION I The next document I offer is 28 which is offered as Exhibit 106.
This is the part of the testimony of Goering in the IMT trial. It also refers to the incidents leading up to March 11, 1938. Goering states that he dictated the speed of events and not Hitler. However, Keppler was acting on Hitler's orders, not Goering's.
Document 29 is offered as Exhibit 107. It is also an excerpt from Goering's testimony in the IMT trial, testimony to the effect that the invasion of German troops had been definitely ordered at a period which was prior to the time when Keppler informed Berlin of the agreement with Weizsaecker and which was wanted in Berlin.
The next document, 8, is offered as Exhibit 108, an affidavit by Altenburg about Keppler's activity, in particular about a telephone call about the 11th of March 1938 in which Keppler asked to arrange with Hitler that no invasion took place.
The next document, 74, which is offered as Exhibit 109, is an affidavit by Brueckner.
Document 33 is offered as Exhibit 110, an affidavit by Skorzeny which refers to some statements made by Miklas.
The next document shows Keppler's work before the Anschluss after March 11, 1938.
Document 84 is not offered. It will be omitted. However, I will offer Document 11 as Exhibit 111. It is an affidavit by Karl Blessing with reference to Prosecution Exhibit 48. Blessing was a member of the Reichsbank.
This concludes Volume III, Document Book III.
Now we come to Document Book IV which deals in particular, with the Slovakian affair and Keppler's other work in the foreign office.
Document 137 will be offered as Exhibit 112, the text of the socalled Pittsburgh Agreement between the Czechs and Slovaks in the U.S.A. This document is the basis of the Slovakian movements for independence.
Document 184 is offered as Exhibit 113. It contains an essay published by Rudolf Urban about the demands of the Slovaks for Autonomy.