Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 2, p. 280
		26 Nov. 45 "The population of non-German areas will perform no military service, and will be available as a source of labor. "The Polish problem is inseparable from conflict with the West. "Poland's internal power of resistance to Bolshevism is doubtful. Thus Poland is of doubtful value as a barrier against Russia. "It is questionable whether military success in the West can be achieved by a quick decision; questionable too is the attitude of Poland. The Polish Government will not resist pressure from Russia. Poland sees danger in a German victory in the West, and will attempt to rob us of the victory. "There is therefore no question of sparing Poland, and we are left with the decision: To attack Poland at the first suitable opportunity".--'That, if the Court please, is underscored in the original German text.-- "We cannot expect a repetition of the Czech affair. There will be fighting. Our task is to isolate Poland. The success of the isolation will be decisive. "Therefore, the Führer must reserve the right to give the final order to attack. There must be no simultaneous conflict with the Western Powers (France and England). "If it is not certain that a German-Polish conflict will not lead to war in the West, then the fight must be primarily against England and France. "Fundamentally, therefore: Conflict with Poland, beginning with an attack on Poland, will only be successful if the Western Powers keep out of it. If this is impossible, then it will be better to attack in the West and to settle Poland at the same time. "The isolation of Poland is a matter of skillful politics. "Japan is a weighty problem Even if at first, for various reasons, her collaboration with us appears to be somewhat cool and restricted, it is nevertheless in Japan's own interest to take the initiative in attacking Russia in good time. "Economic relations with Russia are possible only if political relations have improved. A cautious trend is apparent in press comment. It is not impossible that Russia will show herself, to be disinterested in the destruction of Poland. Should Russia take steps to oppose us, our relations with Japan may become closer. 280
		Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 2, p. 280     Last modified: October 10, 1998 Copyright © 1998 The Mazal Library and The Holocaust History Project. All rights reserved. Technical/administrative contact: webmaster@holocaust-history.org Find a typo? Let us know.