NAZI LEADERS

Evening Star, Issue 25776, 26 April 1946, Page 7

NAZI LEADERS

GOERENG THE "IRON MAN" MORE REVELATIONS AT NUREMBERG NUREMBERG, April 24. When the case against Wilhelm Frick, the former Nazi Minister for the Interior, began before the War Crimes Tribunal to-day, Frick's counsel, Dr Otto Pannenbecker, said he was not calling his client to give evidence. Pannenbecker sought to defend his client with documentary evidence aganst charges of crushing opposition to the Nazis by police terror, also racial prosecution and complicity in concentraton camp methods, including the extermination of Jews. The documents submitted indicated that Frick's defence was' based on the formula adopted by the other accused, that Hitler concealed his political intentions from his collaborators. Frick was allegedly concerned only with the internal administration of Germany, and had no power of command. The documents submitted by Pannenbecker were replete with such phrases as " Frick was powerless against Hiinmler'" and " The Gestapo ignored Frick's directives." Frick's only witness, Dr Hans Gisevius, a former member of the Gestapo and the leader in the bomb plot against' Hitler in July; 1944, branded Goering as the father of the Gestapo and the originator of its system of political murder. THREATS AGAINST WITNESSES. The tribunal was thrown into turmoil when Gisevius attempted to testify to what the American chief prosecutor, Mr Justice Jackson, said were " threats against both this witness (Gisevius) and against Schacht." Mr Justice Jackson told the court that threats were uttered in the courthouse this morning. Gisevius had barely started .to mention a conversation which he Baid he had overheard between Goering's counsel, Dr Stahmer, and Schacht's counsel, Dr Dix, when Stahmer leapt to his feet protesting against testimony concerning a " private conversation." Mr Justice Jackson said: " This incident has been reported to me. It is important, that the tribunal should know about threats against the witness, and also against Schacht. I ask that the witness, who is a representative of the democratic forces of Germany, should be allowed to tell Ms story." STAHMER'S EXPLANATION. Lord Justice Lawrence asked Stahmer to give an explanation. Stahmer said: "When it became known last night that Gisevius would be questioned, Goering said to roe, ' I do not care what he says ahout me, but I do, not want him to speak in public about the marriage of von Blomberg, who recently died.' Goering also said Schacht was expected to speak about these things. Goering then said lie would drop any consideration for Schacht." Stahmer added: "That's what I told Dr Dix. I did not even know Gisevius was present." Stahmer said Goering's viewpoint was that if Gisevius attacked the dead iron BJom-

berg, then he (Goering) would unload quite a lot he knew to the discredit of Schacht. Gisevius, from the witness box, declared that he had not intended to mention von Blomberg's marriage, but he planned _to speak of. other matters involving him. " I know why Goering does not want me to talk about this. It is the worst deed he has ever done." Lord Justice Jackson ruled that Gisevius should proceed with his evidence. AUTHORITY FOR MURDER. Gisevius, turning to Goering, shouted: "It was Goering who established the secret police and considered it his especial instrument He .gave blanket authority for murder to the political police. Nothing- happened that Goering did not know or order. He is not the Goering who. sought decorations: he is the iron Goering." Gisevius, who fled to Switzerland after the attempt against Hitler in 1944, said he became a member of the Gestapo when the_ old Prussian political police, of which he was a member, were incorporated in the newlyformed Gestapo. He, after a few months, asked a colleague:" Am I in the police force or a robber gang? " Gisevius added that an ordter was issued for his arrest when his antiGestapa activities became known to Goering. Afterwards he was sent as an observer at the Reichstag building fire trial. " Should the tribunal want information regarding Goering's connection with the Reichstag building fire I could help him to refresh his memory." Gisevius said that there was no Roehm putsch. It was Himmler's and Goering's private putsch. "I am in possession of a telegram Goering sent to all Gestapo officers ordering them to burn all papers concerning the incident." ■ Referring to the conversation in the morning between Stahmer and Dix, Gisevius said the evidence Goering wanted suppressed concerned the crisis between himself and Frick. Giving evidence on behalf of Schacht, Gisevius gave the background to the formation of the anti-Nazi Front. He said Schacht became a member of it in 1936. Admiral Canaris andl Generals von Kluge and von Ffitsch and witness were already active members. Schacht was under Gestapo observation as early as 1934, when he stated that the Gestapo was ah evil influence, but Hitler and Goering were men to be trusted. In 1936, however, Schacht realised he was mistaken about Goering, and he got into contact with the anti-Nazi conspirators. ______