dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
upon Poland which had been going on for months, for years before, had come to fruition despite all appeals to peace, all appeals to reason. It mattered not what anybody but the German Government had in mind or whatever rights anybody else but the German nation thought they had. If there is any doubt left about this matter, two more documents remain for consideration. Even now, on 3 September, Mussolini offered some chance of peace. At 6:30 hours on 3 September Mussolini sent a telegram to Hitler: "The Italian Ambassador handed to the State secretary at the Duce's order following copy for the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor and for the Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs: "Italy sends the information, leaving, of course, every decision to the Fuehrer, that it still has a chance to call a conference with France, England and Poland on following basis: 1. Armistice which would leave the Army Corps where they are at present. 2. Calling the conference within two or three days. 3. Solution of the Polish-German controversy which would be certainly favorable for Germany as matters stand today. "This idea which originated from the Duce has its foremost exponent in France. "Danzig is already German and Germany is holding already securities which guarantee most of her demands. Besides, Germany has had already its 'moral satisfaction.' If it would accept the plan for a conference, it will achieve all her aims and at the same time prevent a war which already today has the aspect of being universal and of extremely long duration." (1831-PS) Perhaps even Mussolini did not appreciate what all Germany's aims were, for his offer was turned down in the illuminating letter which Hitler was to write in reply: "Duce: "I first want to thank your for you last attempt at mediation. I would have been ready to accept, but only under condition, that there would be a possibility to give me certain guarantees that the conference would be successful. Because, for the last two days the German troops are engaged in an extraordinarily rapid advance in Poland. It would have been impossible to devaluate the bloody sacrifices made thereby by diplomatic intrigues. Nevertheless, I believe that a way could have been found, if England would not have been determined to wage war under all circumstances.
two days the German troops are engaged in an extraordinarily rapid advance in Poland. It would have been impossible to devaluate the bloody sacrifices made thereby by diplomatic intrigues. Nevertheless, I believe that a way could have been found, if England would not have been determined to wage war under all circumstances. I have not given in to the English, because, Duce, I do not believe that peace could have been maintained for more than one-half year or one year. Under these circumstances, I thought that, in spite of everything, the present moment was better for resistance. At present, the superiority of the German armed forces in Poland is so overwhelming in all fields that the Polish Army will collapse in a very short time. I doubt whether this fast success could be achieved in one or two years. England and France would have armed their allies, to such an extent that the crushing technical superiority of the German Armed Forces could not have become so apparent anymore. I am aware, Duce, that the fight which I enter, is one for life and death. My own fate does not play any role in it at all. But I am also aware that one cannot avoid such a struggle permanently and that one has to choose after cold deliberation the moment for resistance in such a way that the probability of the success is guaranteed and I believe in this success, Duce, with the firmness of a rock. Recently you have given me the kind assurance that you think you will be able to help me in a few fields. I acknowledge this in advance with sincere thanks. But I believe also-even if we march now over different roads-that fate will finally join us. If the National Socialist Germany were destroyed by the Western democracies, the Fascist Italy would also have to face a grave future. I was personally always aware of this community of the future of our two governments and I know that you, Duce, think the same way. To the situation in Poland, I would like to make the brief remark that we lay aside, of course, all unimportant things, that we do not waste any man in unimportant tasks, but direct all on acts in the light of great operational considerations. The Northern Polish Army which is the Corridor, has already been completely encircled
in Poland, I would like to make the brief remark that we lay aside, of course, all unimportant things, that we do not waste any man in unimportant tasks, but direct all on acts in the light of great operational considerations. The Northern Polish Army which is the Corridor, has already been completely encircled by our action. It will be either wiped out or will surrender. Otherwise, all operations proceed according to plan. The daily achievements of the troops are far beyond all expectations. The superiority of our air force is complete, although scarcely one-third of it is in Poland. In the West I will be on the defensive. France can here sacrifice its blood first. Then the moment will come when we can confront the enemy also there with the full power of the nation. Accept my thanks, Duce, for all your assistance which you have given to me in the past and I ask you not to deny it to me in the future." (1831-PS) LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO AGGRESSION AGAINST POLAND, DANZIG, ENGLAND AND FRANCE Document Description Vol. Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6(a)........ I 5 International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV(F)4; V...... I 2629 Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court. *386-PS Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 5 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and dated 10 November 1937. (USA 25)...... III 295 *388-PS File of papers on Case Green (the plan for the attack on Czechoslovakia), kept by Schmundt, Hitler's adjutant, April-October 1938. (USA 26)....................... III 305 *699-PS Letter from Funk to Hitler, 25 August 1939, reporting on economic affairs. (GB 49)............ III 509 *789-PS Speech of the Fuehrer at a conference, 23 November 1939,
for the attack on Czechoslovakia), kept by Schmundt, Hitler's adjutant, April-October 1938. (USA 26)....................... III 305 *699-PS Letter from Funk to Hitler, 25 August 1939, reporting on economic affairs. (GB 49)............ III 509 *789-PS Speech of the Fuehrer at a conference, 23 November 1939, to which all Supreme Commanders were ordered. (USA 23)..... III 572 *795-PS Keitel's conference, 17 August 1939, concerning giving Polish uniforms to Heydrich. (GB 54)...... III 580 *798-PS Hitler's speech to Commanders-in-Chief, at Obersalzberg, 22 August 1939. (USA 29)......... III 581 *1014-PS Hitler's speech to Commanders-in-Chief, 22 August 1939. (USA 30)......... III 665 *1639-A-PS Mobilization book for the Civil Administration, 1939 Edition, issued over signature of Keitel. (USA 777)...... IV 143 *1780-PS Excerpts from diary kept by General Jodl, January 1937 to August 1939. (USA 72)....... IV 360 1796-PS Notes to the War Diary from March 1939 to January 1940........ IV 370 1822-PS Telegram from Minister of Foreign Affairs in Rome to Minister of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, 25 august 1939, concerning conference with Mussolini and Ciano...... IV 459 1823-PS Hitler reply to Mussolini, 27 August 1939, concerning attitude of Italy in conference of 25 August 1939.......... IV 462 1828-PS Memorandum handed to German Foreign Office by Count Magistrate in Rome, 7 August 1939..... IV 463 *1831-PS Correspondence between Hitler and Mussolini, September 1939. (GB 75).......... IV 463 1832-PS Telephone report of Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs in Rome, 27 August 1939........... IV 468 1889-PS Account of conference of Fuehrer and Italian Ambassador Attolico, 31 August 1939........ IV 528 *2327-PS Two top secret memoranda, 14 June 1939, concerning operation "Fall Weiss". (USA 539)...... 1035 *2357-PS Speech by Hitler before Reichstag, 20 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, Part VI,1,pp.50-52. (GB 30)...... IV 1099 *2368-PS Hitler's speech before Reichstag, 30 January 1937, published in Documents of German Politics, Part VI,2,p.42. (GB 26)...... IV 1102 *2530-PS Ribbentrop's speech in Warsaw, 25 January 1939, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, 1 February 1939. (GB 36)...... V 267 *2751-PS Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945. (USA 482)..... V
30 January 1937, published in Documents of German Politics, Part VI,2,p.42. (GB 26)...... IV 1102 *2530-PS Ribbentrop's speech in Warsaw, 25 January 1939, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, 1 February 1939. (GB 36)...... V 267 *2751-PS Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945. (USA 482)..... V 390 2817-PS Telegram from German Embassy, Rome, to Ribbentrop, concerning answer of Duce to Hitler's second letter, 27 August 1939...... V 452 *2818-PS Secret additional protocol to the Friendship and Alliance Pact between Germany and Italy. (GB 292)....... V 453 2834-PS letter from Mussolini to Fuehrer, 25 August 1939....... V 502 *2835-PS German Foreign Office memorandum on conversation between Ribbentrop and the Duce, 10 March 1940. (GB 291)..... V 502 *2846-PS Affidavit of Edwin Lahousen, 13 November 1945........... V 507 *2897-PS Telegram from German Ambassador in Tokyo, Ott, to Ribbentrop, 13 July 1941. (USA 156)...... V 566 *3054-PS "The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167)....... V 801 *C-23 Unsigned documents found in official Navy files containing notes year by year from 1927 to 1940 on reconstruction of the German Navy, and dated 18 February 1938, 8 March 1938, September 1938. (USA 49)....... VI 827 *C-30 Air-Sea Forces Orders for Occupation Danzig, 27 July 1939. (GB 46)......... VI 831 *C-120 Directives for Armed Forces 1939-40 for "Fall Weiss", operation against Poland. (GB 41)....... VI 916 *C-126 Weiss" and directions for secret mobilization. (GB 45)...... VI 932 *C-137 Keitel's appendix of 24 November 1938 to Hitler Order of 21 October 1938. (GB 33)........ VI 949 *C-142 Intention of the Army High Command and Orders, signed by Brauchitsch. (USA 538)........ VI 956 *C-172 Order No. 1 for "Fall weiss" signed by Doenitz. (GB 189)............ 1002 *C-175 OKW Directive for Unified preparation for War 1937-1938, with covering letter from von Blomberg, 24 June 1937. (USA 69)....... VI 1006 *D-738 Memorandum on second conference between German Foreign Minister with Hungarian Prime and Foreign Minister on 1 May 1939. (GB 290)......... VII 193 *L-43 Air Force "Organizational Study 1950", 2 may 1938. (GB 29) (See Chart No. 10.)........ VII 788 *L-79 Minutes of conference, 23 May 1939, "Indoctrination on the political situation
second conference between German Foreign Minister with Hungarian Prime and Foreign Minister on 1 May 1939. (GB 290)......... VII 193 *L-43 Air Force "Organizational Study 1950", 2 may 1938. (GB 29) (See Chart No. 10.)........ VII 788 *L-79 Minutes of conference, 23 May 1939, "Indoctrination on the political situation and future aims". (USA 27)........ VII 847 *L-172 "The Strategic Position at the Beginning of the 5th year of War", a lecture delivered by Jodl on 7 November 1943 at Munich to Reich and Gauleiters. (USA 34)....... VIII 920 *R-100 Minutes of instructions given by Hitler to General von Brauchitsch on 25 March 1939. (USA 121)..... VIII 83 *TC-2 Hague Convention (1) for Pacific Settlement of International Disputes-1907. (GB 2)......... VIII 276 *TC-3 Hague Convention (3) Relative to opening of Hostilities. (GB 2)......... VIII 279 *TC-9 Versailles Treaty, Section XI, Article 100, Free City of Danzig. (GB 3)............ VIII 290 *TC-15 Arbitration Treaty between Germany and Poland at Locarno, 16 October 1925. (GB 16)........ VIII 331 *TC-18 Declaration Concerning wars of aggression; resolution of 3rd Committee of League of Nations, 24 September 1927. (GB 17)........ VIII 357 *TC-19 Kellogg-Briand Pact at Paris. 1929 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part II, No.9,pp.97-101. (GB 18)......... VIII 359 *TC-21 German-Polish Declaration, 26 January 1934. (GB 24)........ VIII 368 *TC-28 German assurance to Czechoslovakia, 26 September 1938, from Documents of German Politics, Part VI,pp.345-346. (GB 22)....... VIII 378 *TC-29 German assurances to Poland, 26 September 1938, from Documents of German Politics, Part VI,p.336. (GB 32)......... VIII 378 *TC-53-A Marginal note to decree of final incorporation of Memel with German Reich, 23 March 1939, from Documents of German Politics, Part VII,p.552. (GB 4).......... VIII 408 *TC-54 Proclamation of the Fuehrer to German Armed Forces, 1 September 1939. (GB 73)......... VIII 408 *TC-70 Hitler's Reichstag Speech concerning agreement with Poland, 30 January 1934, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 31 January 1934. (GB 25)........... VIII 433 *TC-71 Reports of British Consul in Danzig, July 1939. (GB 47)......... VIII 434 *TC-72 No. 13 British Blue Book. Hitler's Reichstag speech, 28 April 1939. (GB 43)...... VIII 438 *TC-72 No. 14 British Blue Book.
Speech concerning agreement with Poland, 30 January 1934, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 31 January 1934. (GB 25)........... VIII 433 *TC-71 Reports of British Consul in Danzig, July 1939. (GB 47)......... VIII 434 *TC-72 No. 13 British Blue Book. Hitler's Reichstag speech, 28 April 1939. (GB 43)...... VIII 438 *TC-72 No. 14 British Blue Book. German memorandum renouncing 1934 agreement, 28 April 1939. (GB 42).... VIII 441 *TC-72 No. 16 British Blue Book. Polish Government's reply, 5 May 1939, to 28 April memo. (GB 44)....... VIII 445 *TC-72 No. 17 British Blue Book. British Prime Minister's statement in House of Commons, 31 March 1939. (GB 39)..... VIII 450 *TC-72 No. 18 British Blue Book. Anglo-Polish communiqué issued 6 April 1939. (GB 40)....... VIII 450 *TC-72 No. 53 British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 26 August 1939. (GB 51)........ VIII 451 *TC-72 No. 54 British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 26 August 1939. (GB 52).......... VIII 452 *TC-72 No. 55 British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 27 August 1939. (GB 53)......... VIII 452 *TC-72 No. 56 British Blue Book. British Prime Minister's letter to Hitler, 22 August 1939. (GB 55)...... VIII 453 *TC-72 No. 60 British Blue Book. Hitler's reply to British Prime minister, 23 August 1939. (GB 56)....... VIII 455 *TC-72 No. 62 British Blue Book. Danzig Senate Decree appointing Forster Head of State, 23 August 1939. (GB 50)......... VIII 457 *TC-72 No. 68 British Blue Book. Hitler's verbal communiqué to Sir Neville Henderson, 25 August 1939. (GB 65)....... VIII 458 *TC-72 No. 74 British Blue Book. British Government's reply, 28 August 1939, to Hitler's message of 25 August. (GB 66)........ VIII 460 *TC-72 No. 75 British Blue Book. Hitler and Sir N. Henderson conversation, 28 August 1939. (GB 67)....... VIII 463 *TC-72 No. 78 British Blue Book. Hitler's reply to British Government, 29 August 1939. (GB 68)......... VIII 466 *TC-72 No. 79 British Blue Book. Hitler and Sir N. Henderson conversation, 29 August 1939. (GB 69)........ VIII 469 *TC-72 No. 89 British Blue Book. British Government's reply, 30 August 1939, to German communication of 29 August. (GB 70)...... VIII 470 *TC-72 No. 92 British Blue Book. Ribbentrop and Sir N. Henderson conversation, midnight 30 August 1939. (GB 71)......... VIII 472
29 August 1939. (GB 69)........ VIII 469 *TC-72 No. 89 British Blue Book. British Government's reply, 30 August 1939, to German communication of 29 August. (GB 70)...... VIII 470 *TC-72 No. 92 British Blue Book. Ribbentrop and Sir N. Henderson conversation, midnight 30 August 1939. (GB 71)......... VIII 472 *TC-72 No. 110 British Blue Book. British Government's ultimatum, 1 September 1939. (GB 74)......... VIII 473 TC-72 No. 113 British Blue Book. Copy German proposals handed to Sir N. Henderson 9:15 P.M., 31 August 1939.......... VIII 474 TC-72 No. 118 British Blue Book. British Government's final ultimatum, 3 September 1939......... VIII 474 *TC-72 No. 124 British Blue Book. President Roosevelt's appeal to Hitler, 24 August 1939. (GB 59)...... VIII 475 *TC-72 No. 126 British Blue Book. President Moscicki's reply to President Roosevelt, 25 August 1939. (GB 60)....... VIII 476 *TC-72 No. 127 British Blue Book. President Roosevelt's second appeal to Hitler, 25 August 1939. (GB 61)......... VIII 447 *TC-72 No. 139 British Blue Book. The Pope's appeal, 24 August 1939. (GB 62)..... VIII 477 *TC-72 No. 141 British Blue Book. The Pope's appeal, 31 August 1939. (GB 63).... VIII 480 *TC-73 No. 33 Polish White Book. German-Polish communiqué, 5 November 1937. (GB 27)........ VIII 480 *TC-73 No. 44 Polish White Book. Lipski, Ribbentrop luncheon, conversation, 24 October 1938. (GB 27-A)...... VIII 483 *TC-73 No. 45 Polish White book. Beck's instructions to Lipski, 31 October 1938. (GB 27-B)....... VIII 484 *TC-73 No. 48 Polish White Book. Beck and Hitler conversation, 5 January 1939. (GB 34)........ VIII 486 *TC-73 No. 49 Polish White Book. Beck and Ribbentrop conversation, 6 January 1939. (GB 35)....... VIII 488 *TC-73 No. 57 Polish White Book. Hitler's Reichstag speech, 30 January 3939. (GB 37)....... VIII 488 *TC-73 No. 61 Polish White Book. Ribbentrop and Lipski conversation, 21 March 1939. (GB 38)...... VIII 489 *TC-73 No. 91 Polish White Book. Anglo-Polish Agreement, 25 August 1939. (GB 57)..... VIII 492 *TC-73 No. 112 Polish White Book. Ribbentrop-Lipski conversation, 31 August 1939. (GB 72)........ VIII 494 *TC-73 No. 113 Polish White Book. German broadcast 9 P.M. 31 August 1939....... VIII 495 *TC-75 Memo for the Fuehrer, 2 January 1938, concerning Anglo-German relations. (GB 28).... VIII 513 *TC-76 Note for Reich minister, 26 August 1938. (GB
White Book. Ribbentrop-Lipski conversation, 31 August 1939. (GB 72)........ VIII 494 *TC-73 No. 113 Polish White Book. German broadcast 9 P.M. 31 August 1939....... VIII 495 *TC-75 Memo for the Fuehrer, 2 January 1938, concerning Anglo-German relations. (GB 28).... VIII 513 *TC-76 Note for Reich minister, 26 August 1938. (GB 31)........ VIII 515 *TC-77 Memorandum of conversation between Hitler, Ribbentrop and Ciano, 12 August 1939. (GB 48).... VIII 516 *TC-78 French Prime Minister's letter to Hitler, 26 August 1939. (GB 58)....... VIII 529 *TC-79 Hitler's reply to French Prime Minister, 27 August 1939. (GB 58)........ VIII 531 *TC-90 Goering's interrogation, 29 August 1945. (GB 64)....... VIII 534 *TC-91 Ribbentrop's interrogation, 29 August 1945. (GB 276)...... VIII 535 Affidavit A Affidavit of Erwin Lahousen, 21 January 1946, substantially the same as his testimony on direct Examination before the International Military Tribunal at Nurnberg 30 November and 1 December 1945.......... VIII 587 *Chart No. 10 1938 Proposals for Luftwaffe Expansion 1938-1950. (L-43; GB 29).......... VIII 779 **Chart No. 12 German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)........ VIII 781 **Chart No. 13 Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)....... VIII 782 9. AGGRESSION AGAINST NORWAY AND DENMARK In the early hours of the morning of 9 April 1940 Nazi Germany invaded Norway and Denmark. Those invasions constituted wars of aggression, and also wars in violation of international treaties, agreements, and assurances. A. Treaties and Assurances Violated. The invasions constituted violations of the Hague convention and of the Kellogg-Briand Pact. In addition there were specific agreements between German and Norway and Denmark. There was the Treaty of Arbitration and conciliation between Germany and Denmark, which was signed at Berlin on 2 June, 1926 (TC-17). The first Article of that treaty is in these terms: "The Contracting Parties undertake to submit to the procedure of arbitration or conciliation, in conformity with the present Treaty, all disputes of any nature whatsoever which may arise between German and Denmark and which it has not been possible to settle within a reasonable period by diplomacy or to bring with the consent of both
Parties undertake to submit to the procedure of arbitration or conciliation, in conformity with the present Treaty, all disputes of any nature whatsoever which may arise between German and Denmark and which it has not been possible to settle within a reasonable period by diplomacy or to bring with the consent of both Parties before the permanent Court of International Justice. "Disputes for the solution of which a special procedure has been laid down in other Conventions in force between the Contracting Parties shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of such Conventions." (TC-17) The remaining Articles deal with the machinery for arbitration. There was also the treaty of nonaggression between German and Denmark which was signed by Ribbentrop on 31 May 1939, ten weeks after the Nazi seizure of Czechoslovakia (TC-24). The preamble and Articles 1 and 2 read as follows: "His Majesty the King of Denmark and Iceland and the Chancellor of the German Reich, "Being firmly resolved to maintain peace between Denmark and German in all circumstances, have agreed to confirm this resolve by means of a treaty and have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries: His Majesty the King of Denmark and Iceland and the Chancellor of the German Reich. "Article I: The Kingdom of Denmark and the German Reich shall in no case resort to war or to any other use of force on against the other. "Should action of the kind referred to in Paragraph 1 be taken by a third Power against one of the Contracting Parties, the other Contracting party shall not support such action in any way. "Article II: The Treaty shall come into force on the exchange of the instruments of ratification and shall remain in force for a period of ten years from that date." (TC-24) The Treaty is dated 31 May 1939. At the bottom of the page there appears the signature of Ribbentrop. The invasion of Denmark by the Nazi forces less than a year after the signature of this treaty showed the utter worthlessness of treaties to which Ribbentrop put his signature. With regard to Norway, Ribbentrop and the Nazi conspirators were party to a similar perfidy. Hitler gave an assurance to Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands on 28 April 1939 (TC-30). That, of course, was after the