DIRECT EXAMINATION
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Dr. Wandschneider (counsel for defendant Rothenberger): We come now to a new subject which plays an important part within the scope of national socialism; that is, the Jewish question. Will you please tell the Tribunal quite generally what your point of view is concerning the Jewish question.
Defendant Rothenberger: Concerning the Jewish question, there were in the NSDAP already before 1933 two factions which opposed each other. One was the so-called Streicher wing which put the racial problem in the foreground. The other wing was the so-called social wing, led originally by Gregor Strasser. Gregor Strasser, already as early as the end of 1932, went into open opposition, and in 1934 was killed together with Roehm. Among the men who emphasized the beliefs of that social group was Kaufmann. That was conditioned by the fact that in Hamburg, of course, social problems played an important role. The Jewish question did not play the same part in Hamburg as in many other parts of the Reich. One reason for that was that on account of a large Portuguese immigration in Hamburg, the connection to western Jewry had been very strong for centuries; particularly the so-called good old Hamburg families are greatly mixed by intermarriage. Furthermore, it was due to the fact that the people of Hamburg are generally more tolerant in their basic temperament.
Another indication of the attitude of the people of Hamburg to the Jews was, for instance, that the display of the so-called Stuermer boxes in Hamburg was prohibited by Reichstatthalter Kaufmann. I, of course, officially and also privately was in close contact with Jews. I knew the advantages and disadvantages of Jewry.
Q. Now, of course, it is known to you, Dr. Rothenberger, that the Party program ambiguously states its position to the Jewish question. I assume you knew the Party program at that time. Could you comment on that as to what thoughts you had concerning the attitude the Party would take to the Jewish question?
A. In the beginning of 1933, I believed that just as in many of the Party platforms many points are made which later do not play an important role. Gradually, however, I realized that the general line became more severe. It is beyond doubt that any German under the influence of propaganda considered a limitation of the Jews in cultural and spiritual life absolutely required, and so did I. But what was generally rejected in Hamburg was any method of violence, any economic exploitation and any kind of hatred. As for the general line, such as it developed gradually in Germany, I could not change anything anymore. In each individual case of my personal and official sphere of influence, individually and from the human point of view, I helped.
Q. In connection with this question, the pogroms against Jews of November 1938 play a part. Will you please state to us what experiences you have made of these pogroms and what your attitude was.
A. On the day before the pogroms—that is the night before—by way of rumor I heard of the intention that Jewish shops were to be looted. There again to obtain information I got in touch with the Reichstatthalter Kaufmann who told me that he had asked for information in Berlin because he had also heard about it, and he had already alerted the Hamburg police too. He had posted them before the Jewish shops so that nothing should happen, and in fact, in Hamburg nothing did happen with the exception of a few individual cases. About that, in the document submitted, NG-629—
Q. I refer to Document NG-629, Prosecution Exhibit 28[423] which has already been mentioned.