“I beg you, therefore, most urgently to obtain by 10 o’clock
tomorrow morning the signature of the French Premier to the
decree for the calling up of the 1944 class, or else to inform
me quite clearly if Laval should answer with a categorical ‘no.’
I will not accept any delaying excuses...”
Is that not an ultimatum?
SAUCKEL: It is only an ultimatum insofar as I could not wait any longer.
I had to leave, because I had orders to leave. I was trying to get a
decision, a “yes” or “no,” nothing else.
M. HERZOG: And to demand an answer “yes” or “no”—you do not consider
that an ultimatum, Defendant Sauckel?
SAUCKEL: I had to leave, and I wanted a decision as to whether the
French Premier would sign it or not.