WHY THE NAZIS

Evening Star, Issue 25745, 19 March 1946, Page 5

WHY THE NAZIS

TRUE PURPOSE AND INNER WORKINGS GOING CROSS-EXAMINED AT TRIAL EVER LOYAL TO THE FUHRER (Ree. 12.35 p.m.) NUREMBERG, March 18. The American prosecutor, (Sir Justice Jackson, to-day began cross-ex-amination of Goering, whom he addressed as the only man living who can fully say what was the true purpose of the Nazi Party and the inner workings of its leadership.’’ When asked if from the very beginning he and his associates intended to overthrow the Weimar Republic, Goering said: “That was my firm intention.’’ He added that parliamentary government was abolished because it was no * longer necessary. Other parties were dissolved. Mr Justice Jackson: “You did not believe in, or permit government by consent of the governed, with the people as the source of power authority? ” Goering: “That is not entirely correct. We from time to time called on the population to express its opinion.” Goering said the Nazis thought it necessary to suppress all opposition “ in any form which could disturb our constructive work. Individual opposition, of course, was not tolerated.’’ Explaining support for the leadership principle, Goering quoted President Roosevelt as saying that most European countries had abandoned democracy, not because they did not want it, but because democracy had not produced men capable of giving the people work, bread, and peace. GoeriDg declared that democracy had ruined Germany and only stronger leadership could restore order. He arrogantly ageed that tjie Nazis had a special organisation to carry out shootings, “ just the same as other countries hare a secret service, or whatever you call it, for the protection of the State.” In reply to a suggestion by Mr Justice Jackson that he could have resigned because he was oppcwed to war against Russia, Goering said: “ I am a soldier and had given the oath of loyalty. It never occured to me to leave the Fuhrer.” THE REICHSTAG FIRE. Goering absolutely denied that he set fire to the Reichstag. He said that a conversation in the sworn testimony by General Haider, in which he (Goering) is alleged to have said “I did it,” never occurred. Goering said he realised in January, 1945, that Germany could not win the war and the bombing of German towns could not be prevented. He added that German attacks with V-weapons had to be continued because while the war was on the Germans had to fight back. “ Thank heaven we had still one weapon which could be used so long as the fight was going on. As a soldier I can only regret that we had not enough of these V-weapons, for they were the only means or bringing possibly some easing of the situation.” Goering said he knew the V-attacks against Britain would never turn the tide. HITLER’S WILL. Mr Justice Jackson questioned Goering about Hitler’s will, made in Berlin in April, 1945, in which he said Himmler and Goering had done immeasurable harm by secret negotiations with the enemy and attempting to seize power for themselves. Goering said: “ I can only reply that I ana Himmler did not do it, neither did I betray the Fuhrer. It was an unfortunate mistake, which grieved me that the Fuhrer could believe in his last hour that I should ever be disloyal.” Mr Justice Jackson: “ Hitler by that will struck out your name from the list of party members and all offices of State.” Goering: “I never thought for a moment of taking action against the Fuhrer. I believe the basis of the mistake was in the transmission of a message by Bormann.” THE FUHRER DEAD. .Mr Justice Jackson: “At any rate you were arrested and expected to be shot.” Goering: “That is correct.” Goering said he had no doubt that Hitler and Goebbels were dead. He described his decline of influence with Hitler. He said it was very great in, 1940-41, declined in 1943, and went down rapidly from then. VOK NEURATN’S POSITION HOT MEMBER OF NAZI PARTY NUREMBERG, March 18. Goering was very pale when lie reentered the witness box at the war crimes trial for questioning by counsel for Baron von Neurath. Goering said von Neurath’s position as Ambassador to Britain was the chief factor iu influencing Hitler to make him Foreign Minister when the Nazis came to power, although von Neurath was not a member of the Nazi Party. It could be assumed that von Neurath was on cordial terms with London and it was hoped that his appointment as Foreign Minister would keep them so. Goering told Ribbentrop’s counsel that he did not know the extent to which Ribbentrop was informed of military plans and intentions, but he supposed, like other leaders, he was t-old only of things for the operation of which he was responsible. “ Actually how much Hitler told Ribbentrop I do not know.” Goering added that Germany never had any intention of attacking America. The German Fleet was so small and the distance so great that threatening America was unthinkable.. Efforts at economic penetration of. South America were important in the face of Anglo-American competition. Dealing with the charges of a Nazi conspiracy to gain domination in Europe, Goering said a conspiracy could onlv be mentioned in the sense the Fuhrer had comprehensive conferences resulting in a decision to do certain things. “No one had the influence .1 had. Only the Fuhrer and myself could conspire.” Ho explained that this referred to the period before his relations with the Fuhrer deteriorated.