A. That it was a legal task of the State which had already been planned in 1932 and which was also being planned in other countries and that we would not incriminate ourselves in any way, on the contrary, a sabotage of this order would be a criminal offense. The question of secrecy was also discussed in detail and it was stated that this was a kind of law now; that the patients were not to have knowledge of such a measure beforehand because otherwise they would be excited, and that was probably the main reason why this law could not be published. In addition at that time we were at war and those kinds of measures should be kept secret in the interior.
Q. Who were the people to be concerned by the Euthanasia Program?
A. The incurably sick. However, it was not quite clear to me where the limit was to be drawn. For me personally, such a measure could only be considered in the cases of persons who were dying anyhow.
Q. Was there any mention made at that time of “useless eaters” and other economic points of view?
A. I never actually heard the words “useless eaters” at all during the war.
Q. Was it mentioned at the time that the institution had to be kept free for other purposes, and that that was the reason?
A. The reason for this measure was only touched upon briefly. We were told that these were tasks of the state which had become urgent because of the war and, yes, of a eugenic nature.
Q. How about the children?
A. At the time there was always talk about the last medical aid.
Q. Well, if I understood you correctly, the decisive viewpoint was the medical one?