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313171649
label
Memorandum from William Donovan to Justice Robert Jackson
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doc
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document
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1
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id
313171649
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document
title
Memorandum from William Donovan to Justice Robert Jackson
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collections
Confidential Files (Truman Administration)
Confidential Subject Files
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313171649
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14
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1945-11-14
month
11
year
1945
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nara-archive
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1
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3eab7a50e1695561
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COPY
14 November 1945
MEMORANDUM
Dear Bob:
I have carefully gone over the briefs and proofs in the Schacht matter.
Also I have discussed the matter with Colonel Gerfein, who has had it
in charge.
He shares my view which is this: Schacht made possible the rearmament
project. It was his support in financial matters that strengthened Hitler's
position. Aided by influences and what he should have known about Hitler's
character, we may have enough to hold him for aggressive war. There is
strong argument in this.
In addition, Schacht claims that Roosevelt sent him a message that he
(Schacht) would be needed after the war.
Schacht made the assertion that when he tried to distract Hitler toward
the question of colonies, and refused to give further financial support in
Hitler's designs, he was dismissed, and his party Badge of Honor taken from
him. He worked with the resistance movement and finally found himself in a
Gestapo prison and then in a concentration camp.
It is also true that Don Heath of the American Embassy in Berlin in 1940
was keeping in touch with Schacht on behalf of the State Department. In
addition, Gisevius had Schacht as a source of information.
Heath says that our advance notice of the attack on Russia was given to
Heath through Schacht.
In view of all of this I return to the suggestion that consideration be
given to the possibility of giving him the opportunity to fight his way out
by actual testimony dealing with the facts. He could strengthen our case
considerably and without promises he could be given the chance in the direct
case to state his position. As I have already told you there have come
certain suggestions that he would like to talk with me. If anything
develops I will let you know.
TRUMAN
s
/s/ DONOVAN
ARCHIVES AND RECORDS LIBRARY
U.S.
BOVERNMENT