HERR BABEL: [Continuing] . . . and I am of the opinion that things should not be made more difficult by anyone taking part in this Trial—not even the press.
This war has brought me so much misfortune and sorrow that I have no reason to vindicate anyone who was responsible for this personal suffering or for the misfortune that fell on all our people. I will not try to prevent any such person from receiving his proper punishment. I am concerned only with helping the Tribunal to determine the truth, so that just sentences may be pronounced, and that innocent people may not be condemned.
THE PRESIDENT: Kindly resume your seat. It is not fit for you to make a speech. You have been making a speech, as I understood it; this is not the occasion for it.
HERR BABEL: I find it necessary because I was not protected against the Prosecution’s reproach.
[Herr Babel left the stand to resume his seat.]
THE PRESIDENT: One moment; come back. I do not know what you mean about not being protected. Well! Listen to me. I don’t know what you mean by not being protected against the Prosecution. The Prosecution called this witness and the defendants’ counsel had the fullest opportunity to cross-examine, and we understood you went to the Tribunal for the purpose of cross-examining the witness. I do not understand your protest.
HERR BABEL: Your Honor, unfortunately I do not know the court procedure customary in England, America, and other countries. According to the German penal code and to German trial regulations, it is customary that unjustified and unfounded attacks of this kind made against a participant of a trial are rejected by the presiding judge. I therefore expected that perhaps this would be done here too, but as it did not happen, I took the occasion to. . . . If by doing so, I violated the rules of court procedure, I beg to be excused.
THE PRESIDENT: What unjust accusations are you referring to?
HERR BABEL: The Prosecuting Attorney implied that I put questions to witnesses calculated to confuse them, in order to prevent the witnesses from testifying in a proper manner. This is an accusation against the Defense which is an insult to us, at least to myself—I do not know what the attitude of the other Defense Counsel is.
THE PRESIDENT: I am afraid I do not understand what you mean.