PUHL: In reading this statement, it is obvious that the desire for secrecy came from the SS; and this tallies exactly with what I said before, namely, that the SS emphasized that the desire for secrecy originated with them. And as we heard, they went so far as to invent an account—“Max Heiliger”—which was obviously, as is also clear from the statement, an account for the Reich Ministry of Finance. In other words, this tallies with what I have been saying, namely, that the obligation to keep the matter secret, this special obligation, was desired by the SS, and was carried out; and it applied even to the transfer of the equivalent value. As regards the second point, that I am supposed to have talked to Thoms, I already stated yesterday that I do not remember such a conversation among the very great number of conversations which I had at the bank daily. Nor can I imagine that I went to see him. That would have been a very unusual procedure.
I do not recall the expression “Melmer deliveries” in that connection; but I suggest that it is used in this statement for simplicity’s sake, just to refer briefly to the subject under discussion.
MR. DODD: It isn’t too important, but of course he says you called him on the telephone, that you didn’t go to see him. However, I offer this as Exhibit USA-852.
THE PRESIDENT: This statement we have before us doesn’t appear to be sworn.
MR. DODD: Well, the witness is here in Nuremberg. I will withdraw it and have it sworn to and submit it at a later date. I wasn’t aware that it wasn’t sworn to. He is here and available. I had him brought here in case any question, was raised about him.
[Turning to the witness.] Now, the Defendant Göring knew something about these deposits, too, didn’t he? Now that we are talking this thing all out, what about that?
PUHL: I was not aware that Herr Göring knew anything about these things.
MR. DODD: I show you a document that was found in the files of the Reich Treasury, the Reichsbank, rather. It is Number 3947-PS, and it is a new document. You haven’t seen this, by the way.
Now, this is a memorandum in the files, dated 31 March 1944, and it says, its subject is:
“Utilization of jewels, and so forth, which have been acquired by official agencies in favor of the Reich.