COL. PHILLIMORE: Do you say that was not murder?
WAGNER: I do not wish to maintain that at all. I do maintain that I was presumably told about the cases in which men were shot by the Navy, and I am of the opinion that these people who were captured as saboteurs were not soldiers, but were criminals who, in accordance with their criminal...
COL. PHILLIMORE: Let us get it perfectly clear. Are you saying that the action taken in shooting these Commandos on all these occasions—are you saying that was perfectly, proper and justified? I thought you agreed with me it was murder, just now. Which is it?
WAGNER: I would like to answer that in each individual case.
COL. PHILLIMORE: It is a very simple question to answer generally and it takes less time. Do you say that men captured in uniform should be taken out and shot without trial?
WAGNER: I cannot consider men of whom I know that they have orders to commit crimes, as soldiers, within international law.
COL. PHILLIMORE: Are you saying that this action was perfectly proper—are you?
WAGNER: Yes, entirely and perfectly.
COL. PHILLIMORE: Shoot helpless prisoners without trial, bully little neutrals who cannot complain? That is your policy, is it?
WAGNER: Not at all.