Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 3, p. 304
		7 Dec. 45 the conscience of the world. The German Reich will be held responsible by history. Belgium is resolved to defend herself. Her cause, which is the cause of Right, cannot be vanquished.'" Then I think I shall omit the next paragraph: "The Ambassador read the note . . . "And in the last paragraph: "In the middle of this communication M. Spaak, who had by his side' the Secretary-General, interrupted the Ambassador: 'Hand me the document,' he said. 'I should like to spare you so painful a task.' After studying the note, M. Spaak confined himself to pointing out that he had already replied by the protest he had just made." THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal would like you to read what the Ambassador read. MR. ROBERTS: I am sorry. I was thinking of the next document I was going to read. I read the last paragraph on the first page: "The Ambassador was then able to read the note he had brought: "'I am instructed by the Government of the Reich,' he said, 'to make the following declaration: "'In order to forestall the invasion of Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg, for which Great Britain and France have been making preparations clearly aimed at Germany, the Govern- ment of the Reich are compelled to ensure the neutrality of the three countries mentioned by means of arms. For this purpose the Government of the Reich will bring up an armed force of the greatest size so that resistance of any kind will be useless. The Government of the Reich guarantee Belgium's European and colonial territory as well as her dynasty on condition that no resistance is offered. Should there be any resistance, Belgium will risk the destruction of her country and the loss of her independence. It is, therefore, in the interests of Belgium that the population be called upon to cease all resistance and that the authorities be given the necessary instructions to make contact with the German Military Command.'" My Lord, the so-called ultimatum handed in some hours after the invasion had started is Document TC-57, which is the last document but three in the bundle. It is the document I handed in and it becomes Exhibit GB-112. My Lord, it is a long document and I will read to the Tribunal such parts as the Tribunal thinks advisable: "The Reich Government" —it begins — " have for a long time had no doubts as to what was the chief aim of British and 304
		Text: English     International Military Tribunal "Blue Series," Vol. 3, p. 304     Last modified: January 2, 1999 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.