7142 - Wilhelm Frick Document Signed at Nuremberg, Summoning American Diplomat George S. Messersmith as a Witness

Wilhelm Frick Document Signed at Nuremberg, Summoning American Diplomat George S. Messersmith as a Witness Partly-printed DS, in German, signed “Frick,” one page, 8 x 12.5, January 18, 1946. Document headed (translated), "The International Military Tribunal, Defendant's Application for Summons for Witness," made while preparing his defense for the Nuremberg trials. Frick and his defense lawyer request testimony from "Georg Messerschmidt [sic]," explaining: "He made an affidavit dated 30 August 1945, on page 4 of the English text of which he repeated an alleged statement of Frick which is of vital importance to the Prosecution." Frick says that "under cross-examination, the witness will not be able to support this statement." Signed at the conclusion in pencil by Wilhelm Frick, and countersigned by his defense counsel. Backed by lightweight cardstock and in fine condition, with a band of toning to the top. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation. With this application, Frick requested American diplomat George S. Messersmith, then in Washington, to be summoned to challenge an incriminating affidavit Messersmith had given prosecutors. That affidavit, dated August 30, 1945, described Nazi leaders, including Frick by name, openly telling Messersmith during his Berlin and Vienna postings in the 1930s that Germany would only honor international treaties 'as long as it suited their interests.' Frick's application argued the witness would be unable to defend the statement under cross-examination. Because Messersmith could not appear in person in Nuremberg, the Tribunal allowed a written interrogatory instead. His responses gave Frick's defense no concessions, simply restating his original account. The strategy failed along with the rest of Frick's defense. Prosecutors went on to prove that Frick, as Minister of the Interior, signed the legislation that dismantled German democracy, drafted the Nuremberg Race Laws, and held jurisdiction over the country's earliest concentration camps. He was convicted of crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and hanged on October 16, 1946.