Chief of the Supreme Command
of the Armed Forces
By Order
Signed: REINECKE
For Information:
Attention Reichsleiter ROSENBERG's Adjutant.
Reference: 2606/ a.
Rosenberg's special purpose staff seal.
Certified true copy
Berlin 15 December 1943
(Dr. Zeiss)
Chief special purpose Staff.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 140-PS
SECRET
Copy
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
Az.Zf.285 (G-3) Nr. 1838/40
Berlin W 35, Tirpitzufer 72-76 30 Oct. 1940
Tel. local 218191, long distance 218091
To: The Armed Forces Commander in the Netherlands
In supplement to the order of the Fuehrer transmitted, under Nr 2850/40 secret Adj. Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, of 5.7.1940, to Reichsleiter Rosenberg, to search lodges, libraries and archives of the occupied territories of the West, for material valuable to Germany, and to safeguard the latter through the Gestapo, the Fuehrer has decided:
The ownership status before the war in France, prior to the declaration of war on 1 Sept. 1939, shall be the criterion.
Ownership transfers to the French state or similar transfers completed after this date are irrelevant and legally invalid (for example, Polish and Slovak libraries in Paris, possessions of the Palais Rothschild or other ownerless Jewish possessions). Reservations regarding search, seizure and transportation to Germany on the basis of the above reasons will not be recognized.
Reichsleiter Rosenberg and/or his deputy Reichshauptstellenleiter Ebert has received clear instructions from the Fuehrer personally governing the right of seizure, he is entitled to transport to Germany cultural goods which appear valuable to him and to safeguard them there. The Fuehrer has reserved for himself the decision as to their use.
It is requested that the services in question be informed correspondingly.