SECRET          30.6.1940
TO THE COMMANDER OF PARIS, GENERAL
VON BOCKELBERG, PARIS

 

THE FÜHRER, FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF THE REICH FOREIGN MINISTER, HAS ORDERED THE SAFEGUARDING BY THE OCCUPYING POWER OF–IN ADDITION TO THE FRENCH STATE-OWNED ART TREASURES–PRIVATELY HELD, PRIMARILY JEWISH-OWNED, VALUABLE ART OBJECTS AND ANTIQUITIES, SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE STOLEN OR HIDDEN. THE FORMER FRENCH OWNER WILL BE PUT ON RECORD. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXPROPRIATION, BUT RATHER A TRANSFER TO OUR CUSTODY AS COLLATERAL FOR THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

AMBASSADOR ABETZ HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE REICH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

 

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE WEHRMACHT.

SIGNED: KEITEL

 

COMMUNICATION FROM KEITEL
TO VON BOCKELBERG, JUNE 30, 1940