“Article One. The safeguarding of property of people transplanted from Lorraine to the Greater German Reich or to territory placed under the sovereign power of Germany has been entrusted to the transfer services for Lorraine under the Chief of the Administration.
“Article Two. These services are authorized to put in effective safekeeping the property of the Lothringians who have been transplanted in order that such property may be administered, and—insofar as orders may have been given for this—exploited.”
This ordinance, therefore, still manifests some scruples of form. The intention is to “safeguard,” but we now know what the word “safeguard” means in Nazi terminology. We have already seen what safeguarding meant in the case of works of art and Jewish property. Even here, we have been specifically warned that the term “safeguard” carries with it the right of disposal or exploitation.
Other texts are even more specific or clear.
Here is Document Number RF-755. This is the ordinance of 6 November 1940 pertaining to the declaration of property in Lorraine belonging to the enemies of the people and of the Reich. And on the same subject I shall also submit to you Document Number RF-756, which is the regulation of 13 July 1940 applying to property in Alsace belonging to the enemies of the people and of the Reich. These two texts, one of which applies to Alsace and the other to Lorraine, permit the seizure and confiscation of properties designated as “enemy property.” Now, to realize the extent of the property covered by this term, I will read Document 756:
“Any objects and rights of any nature whatsoever, without regard to conditions of title, which are utilized for, or intended for use in, activities hostile to the people of Germany or the Reich will be considered as property belonging to the people and to the Reich.
“Such stipulation shall apply to the entire patrimony: