Unanimity of the Ustaci movement standing behind the government must be doubted. The combat value and the reliability of the Croation units is small. Without efficient help of German units, they will not be able to destroy the resistance movement which has increased strongly in the last few weeks, especially in the eastern part of Croatia.
2.) Enemy
a.) Serbia Enemy situation in the main unchanged.
Dispersal movements of the insurgents into the out-of-the-way border areas, especially of the Serbo-Croation border area continue. Surprise attacks and sabotage acts have increased from 25 in the last report period to 53 since the 15th of December. Enclosure 1 For details, see Enclosure 1.
The territories of unrest are (compilation of previous reports):
aa) Area Nis-Lebane The operations of the 717th Infantry Division at Lebane did not clear up matters.
An operation of the Serbian gendarmes is in progress. Division of the enemy group of about 3000 men in strength is apparent. One group (strength about 1000 men) appears to have withdrawn to the South over the Serbian-Bulgarian border, a second (strength about 2000 men), to the region Prokuplje-Kursumlija. The conditions in this territory have been obscure for sometime, since the influence of Kosta Pecanac appears to be vanishing.
Area south of Loznica-Krupanj.
No important changes. Dispersal of insurgents to the Croatian territory continued to be observed. With the exception of one surprise attack, the enemy was quiet.
Area around and east of Pozerevac.
Small enemy groups in strength of 20-30 men continue to be active 2 successful cleaning-up actions of the Serbian auxiliary police. The impression exists that the enemy has taken to winter quarters.
Border area southwest of Uzice.
Enemy group about 3000 men strong. Dispersal of insurgents from the Croatian back to the Serbian territory observed. The impression exists that the enemy is considering wintering with strong forces in the out-of-the-way territories of the Zlatibor and Murtenica Mountain Range.
Croatia.
Increasing aggravation of the situation. Further increase of insurgents from Serbia. Mihailovic has taken over the leadership of the struggle in East Croatia. The unrest around Doboj, Sarajevo, and Tuzla, which shows strong Communistic direction, is continuing.
The Centik leader Dangic operating there, allegedly does not wish to subordinate himself to Mihailovic and fight against the German Wehrmacht. He only wishes to protect the Serbs against Croatians and Communists.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Then paragraph 7 of Bader's report to General Kuntze, Enemy losses.
The enemy lost 132 dead (of these, 37 from reprisal measures) and 372 prisoners in the period from 16-25 December.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The report is signed For the Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia The Chief of the General Staff Your Honors will note the distribution list on the back.
The first copy of the report was sent to the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast. This, if your Honors please, concludes the introduction of the documents in Document Book No. 6. Mr. Denney will continue with Document Book 7.
MR. DENNEY: May it please your Honors, with reference to the statements of the prosecution as to the counts on which exhibits are offered and the defendants against whom they are offered, we have found some omissions and it was also necessary to make some deletions in Book III; so we have had the stencil rerun and now submit three copies of the new stencil to your Honor, which should be substituted for the old one in Book III. We also have 24 new copies for defense counsel. This will be substituted for 16 -- that is, it will be put in at page 169-A and be given the number which the present one has of 114-A, and we have copies for the reporters and the interpreters and for Major Hatfield.
I believe defense counsel understands this is just being substituted for the one we gave yesterday. We found that we had included one of the defendants in several counts where he should not have been included so we felt it was better to submit a new copy if that is agreeable with your Honors.
And with reference to Book IV, three copies for the Court and copies for the defense counsel --24. This should be inserted as page 171-A in Book IV and the last exhibit is 124, so this will bear the identifying numbers of 124-A. Copies for the reporters, the interpreters, and Major Hatfield.
THE PRESIDENT: May I ask again what page number you gave this?
MR. DENNEY: 171-A, sir. At the end of Book IV.
And for Book V, three copies for the Tribunal. This should be 160-A page and the identifying numbers are 131-A after exhibit 131, which is the close of Book V, if your Honors please. 24 copies for the defense counsel, copies for the interpreters, the reporters and Major Hatfield The prosecution now offers Document NOKW-922 which appears at page 1 of the English and German in Document Book VI as prosecution's Exhibit 164 in evidence.
THE PRESIDENT: You mean Document Book 7, do you not?
MR. DENNEY: Excuse me. Thank you, your Honor. Document Book VII, page one of the Document Book VII, Exhibit 164 in evidence. This exhibit is a directive from Bader, General of Artillery, as the Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia, dated 3 January 1942, with reference to the combat against insurgents.
The insurgents have taken up winter quarters in the eastern part of Croatia. (See enclosed sketch.) From their villages they press hard upon the Croatian troops and commit continuously acts of sabotage. They press forward more and more towards important thoroughfares and towards the objects that are economically important. For details see enclosure 1.
To stop this enemy activity the 342nd Infantry Division and 718th Infantry Division shall attack the enemy on 15 Jan 1942 in the Southeastern part of Croatia and will destroy him. In this operation the German troops will be aided by Croatian troops, in order to set free the 718th Division for the duration of the operation, Croatian troops will take over the security duties, which the Division has had to fulfill up to now.
All German and Croatian troops assigned to the above mentioned operation will be subordinated as of 12 Jan 1942 to the Commander of the 342nd Infantry Division Brigadier General Hoffmann.
Then appears the distribution order to the Divisions involved, the 342nd and 718th, the Croatian Battalions, and various other supporting and service units, followed by the signature of Bader.
Then further distribution to the Corps Headquarters and the other units listed therein with some additional ones including the 113th Infantry Division.
Then follows a recital of the -- excuse me, the stamp of receipt by the 718th Infantry Division in at the bottom of page 2 of the English and at the top of page 3 of the German, "Received on 4 January" and the enclosure which is cited at the top of page 3 in the German and on the bottom of page 2 in the English contains a report with reference to the units which are in the area of Croatia.
Page 3 in the German and English ---
Insurgent groups in frontier area of Croatia
1.) Southwest of Bijeljina Strength:
400 Armament:
Unknown Leader:
Hodzic Political Attitude:
Communists (numerous Mohammedans) Activity:
Raids around Bijeljina since the middle of Dec. Probably also sunk the Save tug "Pancove" on 29 Dec.
The Second Group:
Majevica mountains north of Tuzla Strength:
1000 Armament:
1 gun Leader:
"S p a n a c" (a Turk from Bijeljina his real name Muhadinovic) Political Attitude:
Communist Activity:
Continuous threatening of Tuzla The Next Band:
Czren Mountains southeast of Dobej Strength:
1500 Armament:
Unknown Leader:
V u j a t i n o v i c Political Attitude:
Dangic - Cetniks Activity:
attacks on Maglaj, sabotage of traffic and communication installations.
4.) South of Kladanj Strength:
500 Armament:
Trench mortars and guns.
Leader and Political Attitude: Unknown.
Activity: Acts of sabotage, attacks on Kladanj that were repulsed and repeated artillery fire on vital enterprises in Kladanj.
"5) East of Zavidovici Strength:
500 Armament:
Unknown Leader:
Unknown Political Attitude:
Presumably Dangic-Chetniks Activity:
Sabotage of traffic and communications on the line Zavidovici-Olovo, raid on moving train, occupation of Krivaja in the Krivaja valley east of Zavadovici. Possibly connection with insurgent villages on left bank of Bosna around Zepce southwest of Zavidovici.
"6) Around Olovo Strength:
300 Armament:
Two mountain guns and mortars Leader:
Todorovic Political Attitude:
Dangic-Chetniks Activity:
Occupation of the town Olovo after having driven off the Croatian troops in the direction of Vijaka (northwest of Olovo) following up of the Croatian troops and occupation of Vijaka after again having driven off the Croatian garrison on 19 and 20 Sept 1941. Since then threatening of Vares and movement of troops with artillery on railway in direction Krivaja.
"7. Romanija Mountains east of Sarajevo Strength:
3000 Armament:
Two mountain guns Leader:
Cica (nickname of a Jew named Weinert, engineer from Sarajevo) Tito, officer in the General Staff of the National Liberation Party Department Yugoslavia before the detachments were dispersed in west Serbia at the end of November 41.
Political Attitude: Communist (numerous Mohammedans) Activity:
Continuous serious harassing in the area northwest of Pale, threatening of Pale and harassing of the connection from Sarajevo to Mokro and Pale.
"8) Southeast of Sarajevo Strength:
250 Armament:
Two mountain guns Leader:
Unknown Political Attitude:
Presumably Chetniks Activity:
Repeated in part successful attacks against water works Bistrica southeast of Sarajevo.
"9) West Visegrad Strength:
2500 Armament:
Unknown Leader:
Unknown Political Attitude:
Communist, probably from Serbia Activity:
Threatening of Visegrad from the south, dispersed by Italians on 30 December, whereupon crossing of the Drina in area west of Visegrad."
On page 6 of the English and page 6, I believe, of the German document NOKW-1124, which I believe we can pass because this entire document appears in the next document. It is an order by General Hoffmann, Commanding General of the 342 Infantry Division and I request that Your Honors ignore this because it all appears later and I will make the same request of defense counsel. It appears in the next document.
Turning then to page 8 in the German text and page 9 in the English, Document NOKW-1067 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 165 in evidence. I wonder, Major Hatfield, if I might see the original. Thank you.
DR. HINDEMITH (Counsel for defendant Foertsch): Mr. President, in one of the previous sessions it has been ruled that defense could insist that parts which were deemed important to the defense but which were not being read by the prosecution could be read by the defendants on their part.
Therefore, I would first like to ask, to tell me, whether I am right as to this ruling of the Tribunal and whether the Tribunal upholds this ruling.
THE PRESIDENT: That was a previously announced ruling of the Tribunal and we adhere to it.
DR. HINDEMITH: Therefore, in connection with the document which has just been read I'd like to read the part, enclosure 1, which had been a part of this document, which is in addition to this document, which belongs to Exhibit 164, NOKW-922, the first enclosure to this document.
THE PRESIDENT: Found on what English page?
MR. DENNEY: The exhibit, if Your Honors please, is on page 1. Counsel is reading from the photostatic copy which as Your Honors recall is the complete document put in evidence. We have not translated the section which he wishes to read.
DR. HINDEMITH: This enclosure reads as follows:
"Heading I-6. 10-6-2. Top Secret. Enclosure 1 to 9/42, Top Secret, of the 3rd of January 42, handwritten, Plenipotentiary Commanding General Serbia.
"The insurgents in the eastern part of Croatia (see sketch) have gone to winter camps. The fighting troops will probably, in their quick march cleverly camouflaged, have the enemy in front, only selecting the districts west of the Drina as quarters because they are not occupied by German or allied troops. The enemy again will, similar to east of the Drina, try to deceive the troops camouflaged as peaceful farmers, and will attack the troops from behind later on in a different part, All the people not familiar with the district have to be counted as enemies. In addition even local people cannot be trusted. In the quick advance these directives can only be regarded as general directives. The troops, supported by Croatian liaison men, must according to circumstances try to ascertain foe or friend locally. A survey of the nonenemy troops is added, also Croatian insignia and uniforms of Croatian units which may be recognizable are added too."
The document closes with a stamp, "718 Infantry Division, received on the 4th of January 1942, Top Secret, No. 742. Top Secret."
MR. DENNEY: If Your Honors please, there are some figures in the next document which present somewhat of an accounting problem and perhaps if we could take them up all at once.
THE PRESIDENT: We will take our morning recess at this time.
MR. DENNEY: Thank you.
(A recess was taken.)
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
MR. DENNEY: Exhibit 165 which is NOKW-167, page 14 in the English and page 13 in the German -- if your Honors please, this actually -- the page which appears first should be page No. 6 in the English copy. They are a little bit out of order. Perhaps it is not in Your Honors' document book but at least it was in mine. The first page is page 9 in the English and page 8 in the German.
JUDGE CARTER: Our book seems to be in the proper order.
MR. DENNEY: Thank you, Sir. This is a report of the 342nd Infantry Division dated 10 December 1941, and it is a 10-day report to the Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia with a reference to a communication received from him on 29 September 41. which directed-these reports. It is signed by Hoffman, the Division Commander, and it has an enclosure which sets out losses and booty during operations for the period 25 November to 4 December; their own losses: 10 dead, 22 wounded, released from captivity 1 officer, 315 non-commissioned officers and men; enemy losses 707 dead, 93 shot to death, 312 arrested, beside numerous dead and wounded taken along by the enemy.
And then on page 10 of the English, still on page 9 of the German, an inquiry to the 3rd Battalion of the 769th Regiment: "Where were the 11 Communists arrested? Communists are to be shot to death after a short interrogation as a matter of basic policy."
Then coming down to "Pacification," Enclosure 2, dated 14 December 1941:
"See directives of the Commander-in Chief of the Army, 25 October 41, for combatting of partisans, Part C, Paragraph 3, released down to companies.
"Measures of law and order. Reliable Mayors are to be put into office who are liable with their lives and their possessions. Non residents and wood squatters are to be arrested and deported.
Communists are to be shot to death. Control of residents is to be established according to lists with identification papers. Whoever leaves the village without authorization loses life and possessions. No interference of any sort in the measures of the Serbian Auxiliary Police."
And then for the 16th of December daily reports of the 3rd Battalion of the 697th Infantry Regiment from 10 November to 15 November: "Advance of the Battalion from Sabac to Loznica surrendered by the Cetniks on 15 November. Communists are withdrawn."
16 November to 5 December: "Combing through of the terrain along Loznica. During this operation, appropriation of vital plants in Koviljaca and Zajaca, cooperating with the 1st Battalion of the Russian protective corps. Repeated contact with the Communist enemy.
"Enemy losses: about 220 dead, 345 prisoners (of which 25 were shot to death). Own losses: 2 dead, 16 wounded, 16 losses."
And then the further report of the 342nd Division, dated 17 December 1941, "Reports on Shootings to Death, Arrests and Reprisal Measures," directed to the Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia:
"Enclosed, the Division submits reports on shootings to death, arrests and reprisal measures for the period from 6 December to 15 December 41 including Group III, 697 Infantry Regiment (26 September to 15 December 41 inclusive)." and the Group III is submitted as 3rd Battalion of this regiment. "Accordingly, the Division had a total of 4189 hostages at this disposal."
"Of these 3618 were transferred to Concentration Camp Sabac, 343 were transferred to Collecting Camp Belgrade, 70 to the Serbian Auxiliary Police Valjevo (Lukic), 75 were released."
And then, if your Honors will add those figures, they will total 4,106; and, subtracting 4,106 from 4, 189, the figure given is the total number of hostages at the disposal of the Division.
The next line: "so that a total of 83 hostages is still available.
"For the Divisional Command: The 1st General Staff Officer."
By "(illegible initial) Captain" And then on the 18gh this enclosure is sent along, dated the 18th:
"Report asper 15 December inclusive on shootings to death, arrests of hostages and reprisal measures" during the period from 6 to 15 December incl. measures of Group III, that is the 3rd Battalion of the 697gh Regiment -- "during the period from 6 December to 15 December 41".
Then turning over to page 12 in the German and page 13 in the English text:
"Own Losses: period of the report, dead (3)" in brackets and "wounded (19)" in brackets with a little cross after it, and on the original there is a note at the bottom which indicates that figures in brackets signify the Group III, 697gh Regiment which is subordinate to the 342nd Division which is in turn subordinate to the Armed Forces Commander Southeast. These figures in brackets signify this group which is included in the total; and the next figure, "Loses not retaliated preceding the period of the report, 7,098-now, if Your Honors will take that figure "7,098" and add to it the figure of 1250 which is arrived at by multiplying 3 by 100, and 19 by 50, a total of 1250 is reached and that equals 8,348, the next figure.
Excuse me. I am sorry. That is an error, if Your Honors please. This figure is -- I made the wrong computation here. This figure "losses not retaliated preceding the report" is 7,098 and then "Shot to death during the period of the report: Insurgents during combat action 8" with a figure in brackets for the 3rd Battalion of the 697th, 417, that is, in addition.
The next, "Hostages as reprisal measure 2" with a figure in brackets "(389)", which are the figures for the 3rd Battalion of the 697th.
Now, if these figures under "2" -- 8, 417, 2 and 389 -- are added they total the next figure which is 816; and then, if 816 is subtracted from the figure 8,348, the total for number "3", "Therefore the total as yet unretaliated 7,532," is reached.
Then the number of hostages at the start of the period of this report, 87; arrested during the period of this report, 484, and then in brackets the figure 4,009. The 4009, it is submitted, is the report for the 3 Battalion of the 697th, and the great difference in the two figures is based on the fact that their report is for 26 September to 15 December, whereas the report for the figures not in brackets, for the 342nd, other than this one battalion, the 3rd, of this one regimet, the 697, are only for the 9-day period 6 to 15 December.
The next entry consequently still available after deduction of perople shot to death under 2b is 4,189, and the figure which they subtract under 2b is 816, so that the number of people still available are 4189.
Turning over to the next page, this sets out in more detail the activities of the 3rd Battalion of the 697th which can be checked back into the earlier figures, dated the 18, and is a report for the 15 December inclusive, on the shootings to death, arrests of hostages and reprisal measures during the period from 6 to 15 December, 1941 including measures of Group III/697, during the period from 26 September to 15 December, 1941.
Our own losses for the period of the report, "Dead 3, wounded 19", the same figures which appear in brackets on the preceding page.
"Losses not retaliated preceding the period of this report, none" so the totals are 3 dead and 19 wounded.
"Shot to death during the period of the report:
Insurgents during combat action 417 Hostages as reprisal measures 389."
a total of 806.
"Consequently total still unretaliated 444" That figure of "444" is arrived at by taking the number of dead "3" and multiplying it by "100", which is "300"; taking the number of wounded and multiplying it by "50", which is 950.
Adding the two figures makes a total of 1250, and then subtracting from 1250, 806 the total of hostages shot as reprisals, and the insurgents shot during combat, the remainder is 444, which is the total number of retaliations that are yet to be carried out.
Dropping down to 4, the number of hostages, they set forth at the start of the period of this report, "None"; "Arrested during the period of this report, 4009; consequently still available after deduction, according to 2b," -- that is, hostages shot as reprisals, --"3620". The figure 4,009 less 389, - if that is performed, the figure 3,620, which appears under 4d, in the result. There are two notes in connection with these numbers, the first, that 246 of the 4,009 "Milhailovic-Cetniks", and the second, that 3,620 were transferred to the concentration camp at Sabac.
Now this figure, "4,189" is arrived at by taking,--if to that is added the figure "87" which is the number of hostages available, -- this is on page 12 of the German, 13 of the English -- which were the hostages available at the start of the period, subtracted from that a total of 4,102 is reached, and if to that is added 391, the hostages shot as reprisal measures, taken from 2b, the total, 4,4493 is reached, so that this last figure, on page 12 of the German, and 13 of the English is computed that way.
It does not include the hostages shot as reprisals, and the 87 is also part of that figure.
Item 5 of the report, turning to page 14 of the German and 15 of the English:
"Further shot to death during the period of the report:
As reprisal measure for losses of other troop units by.....
By virtue of special orders ......"
Then on page 12 of the original is a report, or rather a communication from Bader, dated 30 December 1941, and it is directed to the 342nd Infantry Division:
In accordance with application, The Commanding General-Plenipotentiary has ordered that the reprisal measure is to be carried out by shooting to death 25 persons as well as a levy of 500,000 Dinar by the 342nd Division.
Hostages are to be selected from that group of insurgents who committed the kidnapping and mistreatment. Both groups participated, hostages are to be selected equally from both groups.
It is signed "Bader, Lt. General Artillery".
Below is a reference to an oral report commanding officer, 342nd Infantry Division, dated 26 December 1941, and has to do with a 2nd Lt. Lange, who is appears is from the 2nd Battalion of the 699th Regiment:
"Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia:
Enclosed, please find report by Infantry Regiment 699 concern ing the attack of Lt. Lange, Company Commander 2nd Company, 699th Infantry Regiment on 25 December 1941, about 2000 hours. The report could not be submitted earlier because Lt. Lange was not fully able to answer questions. Reprisal measures ordered by teletype, Commanding General-Plenipotentiary in Serbia No. 4825/41."
And, if your Honors will recall, that is the number of the commuication from General Bader to the Division which is on the previous page.
"secret, 30 December 41: Shooting to death of 25 persons, Levying of 500,000 Dinar was carried out."
27 Dec. '41 While combing through the area North and West of Sabac by Units II and III of the 697 Infantry Regiment 8 Communists were shot to death and 4 prisoners captured, .......30 Dec.
'41 In reprisal for the company commander of the 2nd Company of the 699 Infantry Regiment attacked on 25 Dec.
25 Communists were shot to death and 500,000 Dinar were levied on the municipality of Valjevo.
Then we turn to page 17, and quote the text. This is the order which your Honors and defense counsel were asked to disregard earlier:
"342nd Division, 6 January, 1942. Order for the annihilation of the enemy in Southeast Croatia."
Then it gives the scale of the map which accompanies the order:
1) Enemy:
Insurgents - including Mihailovic men - in Winter Quarters in the Eastern Part of Croatia west of Drina. Milhailovic himself is alleged to have taken over command in the area of Rogatica.
Enemy situation on 10 January 1942 will follow.
2) Mission:
The enemy is to be attacked and annigilated wherever he appears; he must not have any chance to revolt again in Spring.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather the troops will complete this mission.
3) Troops
a) By virtue of the order of the Commanding General-Plenipotentiary in Serbia beginning 12 January 1942 at 1600 hours.
All committed troops--the 332 and 718 Infantry Division as well as participating Croatian Troops.
The latter with 7 Battalion, 9 Batteries, 3 Engineer Companies and one railroad company are under my command.
"The troops with the means at their disposal must do their utmost to supplement the special measures carried out by the Division. This is essential to the success of the impending operation."
It is signed, "Hoffman, Brigadier General and Commander. It has enclosures of, "Organization of Groups; and Combat Directive."
Combat Directives
1) General The impending operations comprise an extremely large and difficult territory.
There is little news from the enemy. Identification of the enemy again is difficult, particularly because various Yugoslav nationalities are living together. (Croatians, Serbians, Turks) The situation requires in particular an organized employment of troop interpreters, very extensive use of civilians acquainted with the country, in particular Croatian Administrative Officials.
The Division has applied for a certain number of Croatian Administrative Officials to assist the troops. But the latter will have to help themselves essentially. The enmity of the different tribes based on racial differences is to be exploited usefully.
Not to be considered as enemy are Soldiers of the Croatian Wehrmacht in uniform.
The insignia on the cap is a large round badge;
Soldiers of the Croatian Ustascha in uniform, Cap insignia U, Civilians (sometimes wearing military overcoats) with arms permit of the Croatian Wehrmacht.
To be considered as enemy are All non-residents and residents who according to reports have just returned recently:
All recognizable Mihailovic men with and without arms and ammunition.
All recognizable Dangic-Cetniksas enemies of the Croatians with or without arms and ammunition; all who in any way are recognized as Communists with and without arms and ammunition; all those who shelter or feed non-resident Mihailovic and Dengic men or Communists.
All those participating in the signal communications service of the enemy.
Here one must not differentiate between the members of different nationalities.
And the second enclosure to the order of General Hoffmann:
"In order to identify the enemy who frequently will not appear armed, surprise searches and interrogations are to be carried out.
"Refugees are to be pursued immediately, particularly since frequently they turn out to be leaders.
"The division will reward especially the capture of Draja Mihailovic who it is assumed is wearing civilian clothes. Compare distributed photos.
"4) Treatment of the Enemy "Communists in any case will be shot to death after a brief interrogation and only in special cases will be turned over to the division.
"Whoever participates in combat or is active in signal communications will be shot on the spot after a brief interrogation.
"Whoever offers resistance or escapes will be shot to death on the spot.
"Women and children will not be shot to death nor will they be taken along unless they have participated in combat or have been active in signal communications service.
"All communities must turn over arms and ammunition to the troops.
"Individuals bearing weapons are to be disarmed, captured and taken along by the troops as carriers. Prisoners unemployable as carriers are to be evacuated in the direction of Zvornik and Uzice.
"Houses showing defense installations or from which shots were fired are to be burned down. Beyond that nothing is to be burned down because of the need for billets.
"5) Croatia is a Friendly Country "The troops must be conscious of that fact and must avoid any excess in performing their task.
"Regarding the rations of the country, attention is called to the directives issued by branch Ib of the division."
DR. MENZEL: Dr. Menzel for the defendant Kuntze. In Document No. 1067 I would like to point out two things. At the beginning of the document, on page 9 in the German and page 10 in the English, there is a conclusion that 11 communists were arrested, and they are to be shot to death after a short interrogation as a matter of basic policy.