Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-08-31
Nuremberg
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Hitler aide several times reported
dead, who was tried in absentia;
Ernest Kaltenbrunner, secret police
chief who suffered cranial hemor-
rhage; Gustav Won Bohlen und Hal
bach Krupp ailing armament maker,
and Labor Boss Robert Ley, who
committed suicide.
While the 20 co-defendants sat in
the prisoners box, Goering opened
the string of last-minute speeches
by shouting his innocence over and
over again in an imprisoned 10
minute plea.
Gaunt, white faced Rudolf Hess
followed Goering. Unleashing a
storm Of abuse, Hitler's one-time
deputy attacked the entire proceed
ure.
Il predicted that witnesses would
appear who under oath would make
untrue statements and the court
would receive affidavits of untrue
statements: That the defendants
would hear astonishing facts" he
shouted.
The old courtroom, remodeled for
the trials which started November
20, 1945, was packed to the doors
for the windup of the drawn-out
case against the one-time Nazi lead
ers charged with high crimes against
humanity.
The once arrogant Goering kept
his sharp, peering eyes averted from
the four-power Allied court as he
read his last words Of justification
for his conduct.
In high, strong voice the former
reichsmarshal made an appeal "for
the German people" regardless of
what fate lay in store for himself.
He sought to ameliorate any guilt
for himself, however, by declaring
that the prosecution had failed to
show by documentary proof where
and how he could have known
everything that happened under
Hitler, even though he admittedly
was the number two Nazi.
II wish to state emphatically,"
said Goering, never did I decree
a murder of a single individual"
In a final outburst, Goering as
serted he was nevertheless stand
ing back Of everything I have done"
1.-The only motive which guided
me was my ardent love for my people
I call on the Almighty and the Ger
man people as my witness"
Goering stood, during his plea,
but Hess obtained permission to
remain seated, pleading i'll health.
Each defendant made his speech
from his accustomed place in the
dock, using a portable microphone.
Ribbentrop Defends Conduct.
Joachim Won Ribbentrop, who fol-
lowed Hess, defended his conduct
as Foreign Minister with the decla-
ration that Germany sought much
the same things as the United
States, Britain and Russia-"the
only difference Is that they think in
terms OF continents, we in terms of
corridors.
I'm 1899. met Stain in Moscow
and he didn't seek a peaceful settle
ment," he said. "The conduct Of the
man in 1899 was not considered a
crime against peace"
1t took an entire hour to hear
Goering, Hess and Won Ribbentrop.
Hess became so rambling during
the latter part Of his remarks that
Justice Lawrence lost patience.
II must remind the defendant
Hess that he has talked for 20 min
utes and he will be treated the same
as the other defendants" the court
president declared, ignoring Hess
objections.
Gist of Pleas.
The gist of the other defendants
pleas:
Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel:
1T is not my intention to minimize
that which took place." He put the
blame on Hitler as the real instigator
Of the orders. When an order
was given by the Fuehrer, he said,
II acted according to my duty as ]
saw it."
Ernst Kaltenbrunner: Claimed he
learned Of concentration camp
crimes "only to the smallest extent.
He commended he was kept in the
dark about the anti-Jewish pro-
gram, but commented, "The anti
Semitism Of Hitler as we know II
was barbarism."
Alfred Rosenberg: Adolf Hitler
drew more and more unto himself
people who we're not my comrades
but my enemies. Ours was strug-
gle for noble idea"
| Hans Frank: Bitterly accused Hit
Ter as "the main defendant" and
berated his cowardice for commit
ting suicide when his people
needed him." Declared that Ger
many lost the war because God has
spoken his judgment over Hitler"
julius Streicher: Defended him
self against the allegation he was
the principal Jew batter Of the Nazi
regime and said the prosecution
failed to prove his writings influ-
enced Hitler's determination policy.
Walther Funk, head Of the Reichs-
bank: Wept as he pleaded II did
not know of these crimes" Pleaded