M. FAURE: The Nazis also used all kinds of constraint to obtain members for their SA formation as well as for the motorized group of the SA which is known under the initials NSKK.
I would like now to point out to the Tribunal that a special effort was directed towards the youth, because the Nazis thought it would be easier to get young people—and I may say, even children—to accept their precepts and doctrines.
I think I may submit to the Tribunal Document Number RF-810, which is a circular dated 22 May 1941, addressed to the principals of high schools. This is a very short document and I ask your permission to read it.
“By order of the Gauleiter, all teachers are bound to buy the book of the Führer, Mein Kampf, before 1 June 1941. By September 1941 every member of the teaching profession must make a declaration on his honor that he has read this work.”
The Germans thought that the compulsory reading of Mein Kampf—they allowed three months to assimilate this important work—might convince the teachers, who in turn would teach it to their pupils in the prescribed spirit.
I have here another document, Number RF-811, which I should like to read to the Tribunal, because it is not long and is also very characteristic. It is an extract from a collection of circulars addressed to the pupils of the Athenaeum:
“Luxembourg, 16 June 1941:
“1. All pupils must stand up when the teacher enters to begin the lesson and when leaving the classroom at the end of the lesson.