“4. Those art objects which are suitable for sending to the German museums. . . .”
Thus, early in 1940, 11 months after the initiation of the program for establishment of the library for ideological research, the original purpose had been expanded so as to include the seizure of art works not only for the benefit of research but for the delectation of the Führer and Göring and the enhancement of the collections of German museums.
Impelled as they were by the perfidious dream of subjugating a continent, the Nazi conspirators could not content themselves merely with the exploitation of the cultural riches of France and rapidly extended their activities to the other occupied countries. I now offer in evidence Document Number 137-PS as Exhibit USA-379. That is a copy of an order signed by the Defendant Keitel, dated 5th of July 1940, and I should like to read that brief order in full:
“To: The Chief of Army High Command, Chief of the Armed Forces in the Netherlands.
“Reichsleiter Rosenberg has suggested to the Führer that:
“1. The state libraries and archives be searched for documents valuable to Germany.