DR. SAUTER: If you please.
VON SCHIRACH: As far as my religious attitude is concerned, I always identified myself with the thoughts expressed in Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre about religions in general and the importance of the Christian religion in particular. I should like to say here that in my work as an educator I was mistaken in holding the opinion that positive Christianity existed outside of the Church.
However, I never made any anti-Christian statements; and I should like to say here for the first time in public that in the closest circles of the Hitler Youth I have always expressed a very unequivocal belief in the person and teachings of Christ. Before educators of the Adolf Hitler School—a fact which naturally was never allowed to come to the knowledge of the Party Chancellery—I spoke about Christ as the greatest leader in world history and of the commandment to “Love thy neighbor” as a universal idea of our culture. I believe that there are also several testimonials by youth leaders about that in your possession, Mr. Attorney.
DR. SAUTER: Yes, I shall refer to that later. I should like to begin a new chapter now. In 1940 you were dismissed as Reich Youth Leader?
VON SCHIRACH: Yes.
DR. SAUTER: And you were succeeded by Axmann who has already been mentioned. But you remained connected with youth education through what office?
VON SCHIRACH: Through the office of the Reichsleiter of Youth Education.
DR. SAUTER: And in addition to that you received another title, I believe?
VON SCHIRACH: Yes, I became Deputy of the Führer for the Inspection of the Hitler Youth.
DR. SAUTER: Was that only a title, or was that some kind of office?