SHAKEN WITH HORROR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 6

SHAKEN WITH HORROR

THE GERMAN PEOPLE PLEA AT NUREMBERG NUREMBERG, July 8. Dr Horn, counsel for Ribbentrop, claimed at the War Crimes Trial that it had been proved beyond doubt that Ribbentrop was instrumental in unshackling British prisoners of war. Refering to the invasion of Belgium, Holland and Luxemburg, Dr Horn said that Ribbentrop, relying on Hitler s information, was convinced that preventive measures were necessary to avoid the deadly danger of an Allied thrust into the Ruhr.

Dr Nelta, speaking for Keitel, said that a just verdict would have to take into consideration all the circumstances underlying the conduct of the defendants. There coud be no excuse for what formed the subject of the indictment. The German people, after learning of the catastrophe which had befallen the nations to the west and the east and the Jews, were shaken with horror and piyt for the victims. They did not expect to be acquitted, but they , hoped that the hearts of the rest of mankind would not be so hardened that the existing tension and the gulf between Germany and the rest of mankind would remain. Nelta said that Keitel was not fighting for his head, but for “face.” He wished to prevent distortion of his character. He did not know of Hitler’s aggressive intentions. Hitler’s propagandist camouflage deceived millions of Germans and people abroad. Members of the French delegation to the Nuremberg Tribunal reported to the American authorities that German villagers at Ochstral, 50 miles from Nuremberg, at the burgomaster’s instigation, held up and damaged their cars, says the Paris radio. The villagers tore down the tricolour cockade and the tribunal's insignia, slapped two of the officers’ faces, and tore their clothes.