DR. SIEMERS: Even though at the time you did not know yet that it was a German U-Boat?
VON WEIZSÄCKER: The question of whether it was a German U-boat or not could in no wise influence my opinion of the article.
DR. SIEMERS: Then you considered this article objectionable, even if it had not been a German U-boat?
VON WEIZSÄCKER: Of course.
DR. SIEMERS: Now the Prosecution asserts that Admiral Raeder had instigated this article and is reproaching him very gravely on moral grounds for this very reason, and the reproach is all the graver since, as we have seen, Raeder at this time—unlike yourself—knew that it was a German U-boat which had sunk the Athenia. Do you consider such an action possible on Raeder’s part? That he could have instigated this article?
THE PRESIDENT: Wait a minute, Dr. Siemers, you can only ask the witness what he knew and what he did. You cannot ask him to speculate about what Raeder has done.
DR. SIEMERS: I beg your pardon, Mr. President. I believed that, according to this morning’s affidavit, it would be possible to voice an opinion; but I shall, of course, retract my question.
THE PRESIDENT: What affidavit are you talking about?
DR. SIEMERS: The affidavit in which I suggested the expunging of any expression of opinion, Dietmann’s affidavit.
THE PRESIDENT: That is a perfectly different matter.