It should be observed, however, that these proposals by Blome (for internment or reserved areas) did not originate from him, but had already been discussed during the meeting of the German Tuberculosis Society in 1937, and went back to proposals which had already been worked out years before by English research workers in tuberculosis on instructions from the International Tuberculosis Commission, and which had been generally approved. (Blome 14, Blome Ex. 6.) Therefore, even if the existence of these proposals had been known, it cannot be said that they contradicted in any way the laws of humanity. According to widespread views held by the responsible circles, such measures are necessary if tuberculosis, from which millions die yearly, is to be fought effectively, and if the healthy portion of the population is to be protected effectively against the dangers of infection through incurable tubercular patients. In this case, the protection of the healthy population against infection appears more important than consideration for the unrestricted liberty of incurable patients.


d. Evidence

Prosecution Documents
Doc. No.Pros. Ex. No.Description of DocumentPage
NO-247197Letter from Koppe to Rudolf Brandt, 3 May 1942, concerning the killing of tubercular Poles.[769]
NO-244201Letter from Himmler (signed by Rudolf Brandt) to Greiser, 27 June 1942, concerning the extermination of tubercular Poles.[770]
NO-250203Letter from Blome to Greiser, 18 November 1942, concerning the mass extermination of tubercular Poles.[771]
NO-441205Affidavit of defendant Rudolf Brandt, 24 October 1946, concerning the plan to exterminate tubercular Polish Nationals.[775]
NO-246196Letter from Greiser to Himmler, 1 May 1942, concerning the plan for mass extermination of tubercular Poles.[776]
Defense Documents
Doc. No.Def. Ex. No.Description of DocumentPage
Blome 14Blome Ex. 6Extracts from a report on the German Tuberculosis Conference of 18 to 20 March 1937, at Wiesbaden.[777]
Blome 1Blome Ex. 8Extracts from the affidavit of Dr. Oskar Gundermann, 28 December 1946, stating that Blome opposed the plan to exterminate tubercular Poles and that the plan was never carried out.[778]
Testimony
Extract from the testimony of defendant Blome.[780]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-247

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 197

LETTER FROM KOPPE TO RUDOLF BRANDT, 3 MAY 1942, CONCERNINGTHE KILLING OF TUBERCULAR POLES

The Higher SS and Police Leader on the Staff of the Reich Governor in Poznan,

In Military District XXI [Wehrkreis XXI], Journal No. 132/42 g

Poznan, 3 May 1942