the protection of the courts was lost, too. The activity of the courts could even become a danger. Therefore, I drew for myself this extreme limit for my stay in office. With the resolution of the Reichstag of 26 April 1942,[177] my struggle reached its final stage. It was not quite clear, as it appeared frequently with Hitler’s speeches whether or not his speech had attacked the administration of justice merely for tactical reasons, and whether the true objects were general ones.[178] Dr. Lammers, the Chief of the Reich Chancellery, to whom I spoke immediately after the speech about all these matters, confirmed that background to me as being the true objective of Hitler’s polemics. I had to create clarity. I wrote to Hitler a report [Fuehrerinformation] to the effect that the judges were extremely disturbed by that speech. I had explained to the judges that with all the weight of my office, I would protect every judge who acted according to his conscience and to the law. That clarified the situation as far as I was concerned. If Hitler’s speech really meant the beginning of the end of the independence of the courts, then he had to consider my statement as an open declaration of war. That was what I wanted, and I wanted to bring about a breach, in that case, on purpose. Q. How did your dismissal come about? A. Hitler at first did not answer that letter which I just mentioned. There was a lot of talk behind the scenes about a new appointment for the post of Minister. A few weeks later, Lammers, Chief of the Reich Chancellery, called me to him and told me that Hitler had made up his mind to appoint a new Minister of Justice, and he asked me what my attitude would be if the choice fell on Thierack. I replied that to work with Thierack was quite out of the question. Literally, I added, “I would not sit at the same table with Thierack.” Lammers replied, that was what he had thought, and for that eventuality he was instructed by Hitler to offer me another office comparable to the position I was holding. He had thought it over and was now prepared to offer me the position of President of the Reich Supreme Administrative Court. I rejected that offer and asked Lammers to inform Hitler that I would accept a new office under no circumstances, but wanted to be retired. Soon after, Lammers wrote me that I should come to his quarters at Zhitomir and receive the document concerning my retirement from office and thereafter, to report to Hitler at his headquarters at Vinnitsa in order to take my leave. That order I carried out. On that occasion, Lammers, on order from Hitler, gave me a check for 100,000 marks, which should make it easier for me to bridge the transition into retirement.