M. DEBENEST: In the communes, in the Netherlands, there were municipal councils and in the provinces provincial councils, however differently you may have termed them.
SEYSS-INQUART: Thank you. I understand. In 1941 I dissolved the provincial and community assemblies which had previously existed. I provided for such councils in the community regulations which I issued then, but never actually appointed such councils because the Netherlands population did not co-operate and as a result these community councils would have been only artificial bodies. This provision of my community regulations did not go into effect.
M. DEBENEST: But on what basis did this regulation establish this organization?
SEYSS-INQUART: I cannot recall any certain basis. I assume that it was established by law, if it was provided for at all.
M. DEBENEST: Well, I will put the question in a different manner and perhaps you will be able to answer it. Did you introduce, by means of your regulations, the Führer Principle?
SEYSS-INQUART: Yes. I called it the “one-man responsibility,” and I am of the opinion that in times of crisis a “one-man responsibility” is the correct thing.
M. DEBENEST: That was, in fact, the system which was also applied in Germany?
SEYSS-INQUART: That is true. Perhaps it was not exactly the same, but under the circumstances I considered it correct.
I repeat what I said yesterday: We committed an error here. We committed the error of considering the order imposed by the occupational forces better than that already existing in the occupied territory.
M. DEBENEST: Well, the introduction of this principle had a particular importance, did it not?