“Madaus found that the sap of the Schweigrohr (caladium seguinum) when taken by mouth or given as injection to male but also to female animals, after a certain time produces permanent sterility. The illustrations accompanying the scientific article are convincing. If my ideas meet your approval the following course should be taken: 1. Dr. Madaus must not publish any more such articles. (The enemy listens!) 2. Multiplying the plant (easily cultivated in greenhouses!) 3. Immediate research on human beings (criminals!) in order to determine the dose and length of the treatment. 4. Quick research of the constitutional formula of the effective chemical substance in order to 5. Produce it synthetically if possible. “As German physician and Chief Physician of the Reserves of the German Wehrmacht, retired (d.R.a.D.), I undertake to keep secret the purpose as suggested by me in this letter. “Heil Hitler! [Signed] “Dr. Pokorny “Specialist for skin and venereal diseases. “Komotau, October 1941.” The defendant has attempted to explain his motives for sending the letter by asserting that for some time prior to its transmittal he had known of Himmler’s intentions to sterilize all Jews and inhabitants of the eastern territories, and had hoped to find some means of preventing the execution of this dreadful program. He knew, because of his special experience as a specialist in skin and venereal diseases, that sterilization of human beings could not be effected by the administration of caladium seguinum. He thought, however, that if the articles written by Madaus could be brought to the attention of Himmler, the latter might turn his attentions to the unobtrusive method for sterilization which had been suggested by the articles and thus be diverted, at least temporarily, from continuing his program of castration and sterilization by well-known, tried and tested methods. Therefore the letter was written—so explained the defendant—not for the purpose of furthering, but of sabotaging the program. We are not impressed with the defense which has been tendered by the defendant and have great difficulty in believing that he was motivated by the high purposes which he asserted impelled him to write the letter. Rather are we inclined to the view that the letter was written by Pokorny for very different and more personal reasons.