THE PRESIDENT: Very well.
M. GERTHOFFER: “Article 17 grants Germany the right to seize the
securities and economic reserves in occupied territory, and any
arrangements of the French Government are subject to approval by
Germany.
“In compliance with the request of the French Government,
Germany has agreed that when considering applications of the
French Government regarding the disposal of securities and
reserves in the occupied zone, she will also take into
consideration the needs of the inhabitants of the non-occupied
zone.”
I shall cite only this passage in order to shorten my explanatory
remarks, and I now come to the following document, which is in the
nature of a reply to the German official who drew up this report, a
document which I submit as Exhibit Number RF-205 (Document Number
EC-409) and which is a document found by the American army. Here is the
reply to the document from which I just quoted one passage:
“The elimination of the demarcation line is now out of the
question, and if the revival of the economic life of France is
thereby paralyzed, that is quite immaterial to us. The French
have lost the war and must pay for the damages. Upon my
objection that France would then soon become a center of unrest,
I was answered that either shots would settle that or the
occupation of the still free zone.
“For all concessions we make, the French must pay dearly in
deliveries from the unoccupied zone or the colonies. We must
strive to stop non-coordination in the economic field in
France.”
Finally, another document captured by the U. S. Army which I submit as
Exhibit Number RF-206 (Document Number EC-325), signed by Dr. Gramsch,
gives us the following information:
“In the course of the negotiations regarding relaxation of the
restrictions of the demarcation line, it has been suggested that
the French Government seize the gold and foreign currency in the
whole of France.”
Further in this document:
“The foreign currency reserves of occupied France would
strengthen our war potential. This measure could, moreover, be
used in negotiations with the French Government as a means of
pressure in order to make it show a more conciliatory attitude
in other respects.”
A study of these documents shows the German intent, in disregard of all
legal principles, to get all the wealth and economy of France under
their control.
Through force the Germans succeeded, after one year of occupation, in
putting all or nearly all the French economy under their domination.
This is evident from an article, published by Dr. Michel, director of
the Economic Office, attached to the Military Government in France which
appeared in the _Berliner Börsen Zeitung_, of 10 April 1942. I submit it
as Document Number RF-207, and shall read one passage from it:
“The task of the competent offices of the German military
administration should be regarded as directing ‘Economic
Direction,’ that is issuing directives and at the same time
seeing that these directives are really followed.”
Further, on Page 12 of the statement, Dr. Michel writes:
“Now that the direction of raw materials and the placing of
orders has been organized and is functioning efficiently,
rigorous restrictions on consumption not important to war
economy are a matter of prime consideration in France. The
restrictions imposed upon the French population in respect of
food, clothing, footwear, and fuel, have been for some time more
severe than in the Reich.”
After having shown you, Mr. President and members of the Tribunal, in
this brief introduction concerning the economic spoliation of France,
the consequences of German domination upon this country, I give you an
account of the methods employed to arrive at such a result. This will be
the purpose of the four following chapters: German seizure of means of
payment; clandestine purchases of the black market; outwardly legal
acquisitions; finally, impressment of labor.