THE PRESIDENT: Was any reason given for it?
SEYSS-INQUART: The Freemasons were declared to be enemies of the Reich according to the decree about the taking over of the property of those who were inimical to the Reich.
THE PRESIDENT: Was the order of Heydrich in writing?
SEYSS-INQUART: That I can’t say. It went to the Security Police, and the commander of the Security Police insured its execution. I assume that it was a teletype message, although this entire action might have been planned in advance.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, do you mean that you carried it out without having any order in writing about it at all?
SEYSS-INQUART: I received a report from the Security Police—it may have been in writing, or it may have been oral—that this confiscation was being carried through by the RSHA, and I took over this matter at this stage.
THE PRESIDENT: What was the amount involved by the confiscation?
SEYSS-INQUART: I believe the final amount of the liquidation was more than 8 or 9 million guilders.
THE PRESIDENT: And then I think you said that you proposed that it should be handed over to the Party.
SEYSS-INQUART: Yes, I proposed that these 9 million guilders be turned over to the Party.