In conclusion, in regard to this question of transfer I would like to say that the Hitler order went to the police through administrative channels. The police had legally and by authority the possibility to execute the order. The Ministry, on the other hand, had only one weapon, and that was the word. If this weapon remained without success, the Ministry was defenseless and had to submit to force.
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C. Measures to Influence or Avoid the Judicial Process
1. DEVELOPMENTS PRINCIPALLY DURING THE PERIOD WHEN GUERTNER WAS REICH MINISTER OF JUSTICE (1933–JANUARY 1941)
a. Example of relations of officials of the Reich Ministry of Justice, judges, and public prosecutors with officials of the Nazi Party, the Gestapo, the SD, the SS, and the SA
- TRANSLATION OF KLEMM DOCUMENT 20
- KLEMM DEFENSE EXHIBIT 20
LETTERS FROM GUERTNER, REICH MINISTER OF JUSTICE, TO HITLER’S DEPUTY RUDOLF HESS AND TO THE SA CHIEF OF STAFF, VIKTOR LUTZE, 5 JUNE 1935, CONCERNING INTERFERENCE IN THE TRIAL OF CAMP HOHENSTEIN PERSONNEL
1. Letter from Guertner to Hess
Copy
The Reich Minister of Justice