Evidence of Seyss-Inquart’s application of this doctrine of vicarious responsibility is contained in a poster signed by him and warning the Dutch population to expect reprisals in the event of sabotage. The poster reads as follows:
“NOTICE
“I consider all inhabitants responsible for the destruction or damage to railroad installations, waterways with their installations, telephone cables and Post Offices occurring within the boundaries of their locality.
“The population of such localities may therefore expect reprisals in the form of seizure of property and destruction of houses or groups of houses.
“I therefore advise the population to protect the means of transportation and communications by means of patrols or other appropriate measures.
“The Hague 24 Sept 1944
“/s/ Seyss-Inquart
“The Reich Commissar for the
Occupied Netherlands Territories.” (1163-PS)
Another poster issued by the Superior SS and Police Chief publicized with remarkable candor the fact that 12 Netherlanders were executed “independent of further investigation” as reprisals for the killing of two Germans. That poster reads as follows: