VON NEURATH: Yes. That was mentioned by me in a report that was read in Court.
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: Now you say that your reaction was to go to Hitler and protest. I just want to look at what the existing documents show that you did. Now, let us take April, first of all. Would you look at Document D-794?
[The document was handed to the defendant.]
My Lord, it is Document Book 12a, Page 8. It will be Exhibit GB-513.
Now, this is a letter from you to Hitler dated the 2d of April 1933:
“The Italian Ambassador telephoned me last night and informed me that Mussolini had declared himself prepared to deny, through the Italian delegations abroad, all news about the persecution of the Jews in Germany that had been distorted by propaganda, if we should consider this course useful. I thanked Herr Cerruti, also on your behalf, and told him that we would be glad to accept his offer.
“I regard this friendly gesture of Mussolini’s as important enough to bring it to your notice.”
What did you think had been distorted by propaganda?
VON NEURATH: Yes, please read this part. Here it says, “the news had been distorted by propaganda.” That is what it is about.
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: That is what I was so interested in, Defendant. What did you think had been distorted, and how much knowledge had you, so that you could decide whether the news had been distorted or not?