As I, as a worker, came to know them, the aims of German trade unions were political, and there were a number of various trade unions with varied political views.

Through the Young Men's Christian Association and principally in Australia and North America, as well as in South America, I came into contact with families of these countries.

Although as a sailor I despised politics - for I loved my sailor's life and still love it today - conditions forced me to take up a definite attitude towards political problems.

I had repeatedly made written requests to the Fuehrer that I might be allowed to join the Wehrmacht as an ordinary soldier. He refused to give me this permission.

My connection with the Reich Ministers was of a purely official nature and was very infrequent.

I am very proud of the fact that many workers in my Gau, numerous former Communists and Social Democrats were won over by us and became local group leaders and Party functionaries.

I could not have the honour of being a German soldier because of my imprisonment in the First World War. And in this world war the Fuehrer refuses to allow me to serve as a soldier.