DR. DIX: But, I am not proposing to read it, Your Honors, I am merely trying to repeat the contents as Schacht remembers them. I cannot read it, of course, since I do not know it.
THE PRESIDENT: Would you ask the witness if he remembers what the contents were, not putting it in a leading form.
DR. DIX: Yes, I shall certainly ask him. But I think he has already answered, that he no longer remembers all the details, therefore I wanted to aid his memory by recalling the main points.
THE PRESIDENT: Ask him what he does remember of it.
DR. DIX: Well then, Dr. Lammers, without my presenting the main points to you, what do you remember?
LAMMERS: I think that in this memorandum Herr Schacht set forth the economic capacities of Germany and of foreign countries, that he pointed out that this period in 1941—I believe it was in the autumn—was the most favorable moment for peace negotiations, for bringing the war to an end. He also explained the world situation but I cannot remember how. He sketched the political situation in other countries. He talked about America, Italy, Japan, and he compared the factors. After the Führer had looked at the memorandum he put it aside and he said, “I have already disapproved of that; I do not want that.”
Further details I do not know.
DR. DIX: When you mention “other countries,” do you remember that he stated that Italy’s withdrawal was merely a question of time, since the opposition group around the King would not rest until Mussolini was brought down?
LAMMERS: Yes, it is possible that it did say that, but I cannot remember definitely.
THE PRESIDENT: One moment. The Tribunal will adjourn now.