“Q: ‘What was the point of view of the Department ASO concerning
the treatment of the East Workers in the Reich?’
“A: ‘The view of my Department ASO was that the voluntary
recruiting of workers on a free movement basis, thus taking them
out of the barbed-wire-enclosed factories, would be the best
method of treatment; we also advocated the removal of the arm
badges, worn originally on the arm and later over the left
breast, which carried the word “East” so as to distinguish them
from workers from the West, who never at any time wore badges.
The wording being later changed to “Greater Russia,” “White
Russia,” and “Ukraine,” the people from the Baltic States did
not wear the arm badge. Certain Russians, small groups of
Cossacks, Tartars, and one or two others were not compelled to
wear the arm band, as they were anti-Bolshevistic and
pro-German; and a certain proportion of these were eventually
called up into the German Army. Some 7,000 youths of Ruthenia
were called up by ASO and these were apprenticed at Junkers
Works.’
“Q: ‘Is the Central Office (Zentralstelle) for the eastern
people (Ostvölker) at the East Ministry known to you? How was
this organized?’
“A: ‘Yes, it was considered to be a consulate for the East;
members of the staff were partly Germans and partly local
employees from the East, who were considered suitable for such
employment. Some of the foreign employees were placed at the
disposal of the country offices to look after the interests of
their fellow countrymen working in the countries. At the Central
Office were instituted offices for each of the eastern states,
each office being controlled by a German, some of whom had
originally come from these states. There was also a welfare
branch which was run by persons from these eastern states, to
look after the comfort, _et cetera_, of their individual
countrymen; there was also a religious branch which was run by
clergy from these countries, but this branch was not very
successful as there was an insufficiency of priests.’
“Q: ‘Now, with the help of the DAF, were the complaints followed
up?’
“A: ‘The interests of foreign workers were always looked after;
missions were sent to the various concentrations of East Workers
to find out how they were progressing and what kind of treatment
they were receiving. These missions dealt with complaints
submitted to them on their visits, but the Central Office had to
deal also with written complaints received through the post.’
“Q: ‘Is a printed circular to the authorities in the country
known to you, that ordered a just treatment? Details? What was
the story about the families who were evacuated by the Army
Group Center and about the children 10-14 years old?’
“A: ‘Yes, there was a circular issued, dealing with this
question, and it gave details at great length for the just
treatment of the East Workers. This circular was issued at the
request of the Ministry of the East, through Sauckel. A second
circular was issued by Rosenberg dealing with the just treatment
of workers from the East only. I have no knowledge of this
story, as this was dealt with entirely by the Army Group
Center.’
“Q: ‘Does the witness know the pamphlet issued by the East
Ministry to the managers of enterprises concerning the nations
of eastern Europe and the attitude towards them?’”
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Thoma, that affidavit does not seem to be short at
all. It all seems to be cumulative. Every word of it is what we have
heard before and heard not only once, but over and over again.
INTERPRETER: Dr. Thoma has just said that the last sentence is coming
up.
DR. THOMA: There are two more short sentences.