There were present at this conference Hitler, Goering, Raeder, Brauchitsch, Keitel, General Milch, General of the Artillery Halder, and other representatives of the German High Command. Speaking at this conference, Hitler frequently broached the subject of the seizure of territory in the East. As regards food supplies, we can only rely upon the thinly populated areas. The thoroughness of German agriculture, together with the fertility of the soil, will show itself favorably in the manifold increase of food production. This is an eternal problem, to establish the necessary balance between the number of Germans and their territory, and to secure the necessary living space.
Sharp ingenuity can be of no avail here.
At this conference Hitler, with complete frankness, disclosed his plans concerning the drive to the East. The determination to act has always been alive in me. I always meant to solve this problem. Moreover, the Nazi Government felt itself in no way restrained by the existence of a non-aggression pact signed between Germany and U.S.S.R., on 23rd November, 1939. However, Hitler's cynical declaration that treaties need only be respected as long as they serve a purpose is now universally known.