7 March 1946 Order was issued? A. No. Q. It might help you a little bit if I call your attention to the fact that this Basic Order provides that in the Military commissions to be formed in accordance with the Three Power Pact only such questions are to be dealt with as equally concern the three participating powers. These will include primarily the problems of economic warfare, and then there appears the sentence I read a few moments ago. Do you mean to tell us that Hitler or a representative of the German Armed Forces High Command would issue such an order, placing the responsibility on the Commission of which you were chairman or the head, without first talking to you about it? A. I never talked over such matters. Further, the Commission was not set up until a good deal later. Q. It really does not matter when the Commission was set up. My point is that certain things to be done by that Main or Overall Commission were set forth by this Basic Order. It seems to me Hitler could not assume to issue such an order and you, as the head of the Main Commission, not know what he was putting in there about your Commission. A. I know nothing about the Order. This is the first time I have heard about it. In the Japanese orders in regard to the duties of the Commission it is clearly stated that the Ambassador will have nothing to do with military matters and that if, because of the different organizational set-up in Germany, it becomes absolutely necessary for the Ambassador to talk about military matters he will take along with him the Military and Naval Attaches and members of the Military Commission. This order was set up by the War Minister, the Navy Minister, and the Foreign Minister, and was handed to all members of the Commission. Q. But, General, in this Basis Order No. 24 that I have been referring to, the matters to be dealt with by the Military Commission, the order points out, include primarily the problems of economic warfare. Now, that is not military. What I want to know is why he would put such a proviso in this order and not first consult with you as the head of the Commission that has these economic matters before it. A. He never spoke to me about it. Perhaps he wished to put out the order and bring into fulfillment his own desires through these meetings. Q. Do you remember a meeting you had with Hitler on the 14th of December 1941, at which Ribbentrop was present? This meeting was in the nature of a reception given in your honor. A. I recall meeting him around the middle of December, but do not remember being the guest of honor at any reception. Q. Do you recall being decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in gold? A. Yes. I received the decoration, but it was not at a reception. Q. I have before me the record that was made on the occasion when you received this decoration from Hitler. This document indicates that it was a reception of the Japanese Ambassador, General OSHIMA, by the Fuehrer on 14 December 1941. A. As I told you, I received the decoration, but I do not remember it as being at a reception. Q. Do you remember that on that occasion you expressed thanks for the great honor and emphasized 196