Dear Reich Minister:
The decree of 4 December 1941, 1b (Reich Law Gazette I, p. 759), concerning penal measures against Poles and Jews in the Incorporated Eastern Territories aims at punishing quickly and effectively criminal acts committed by Poles and Jews within the Incorporated Eastern Territories. Its success, however, is doubtful as long as it is necessary to obtain a decision from the Reich Minister of Justice before granting amnesties [Gnadenrecht] to Poles and Jews sentenced to death. In view of the peculiar criminal and political situation in Upper Silesia, which is marked by the growing Polish resistance movement, such delays—especially in wartime—are intolerable.
I therefore request you to take steps to have transferred to the power of granting amnesties—at least for the duration of the war—to Poles and Jews within the province of Upper Silesia who have been legally sentenced to death.
I should like to point out especially that according to an article in the periodical “Deutsches Recht,” 1941, (p. 2472), the Gauleiter and Reichsstatthalter in the Reichsgau Wartheland [Greiser][358] has already been granted similar powers.
Heil Hitler!
Yours
[Signed] Bracht
N 89 Justice 12
- TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NG-126
- PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 356
LETTER FROM DEFENDANT SCHLEGELBERGER TO LAMMERS, 26 MAY 1942, TRANSMITTING A COPY OF SCHLEGELBERGER’S DECREE DELEGATING THE RIGHT TO PARDON POLES AND JEWS TO REICH GOVERNORS AND PROVINCIAL PRESIDENTS