From Goering's testimony on "Kristallnacht" during the Nuremberg trials
Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 9, (Washington 1946), pp. 312-314.
... The Fuehrer arrived in Berlin during the morning [of November 10]. Meanwhile I had heard that Goebbels was deeply involved, at least as an instigator. I said to the Fuehrer: It was impossible for me to have these kind of things happen at this time. I was making extreme efforts in the Four Year Plan to co-ordinate the entire economy. In my speeches I have called on the people to collect and recycle each used tube of toothpaste, every rusty nail, every used material. It was impossible that a man who was not responsible for these matters should interfere with my heavy economic tasks by destroying so many economically valuable assets on the one hand and creating such unrest and havoc in the economic life on the other hand. The Fuehrer made excuses for some, but agreed with me in general that this should not happen. I also pointed out that so shortly after the Munich agreement such events had disadvantageous implications regarding our foreign policy. In the afternoon I had another conversation with the Fuehrer. Goebbels had been to see him. I had expressed my opinion to Goebbels in no uncertain terms, using sharp language. I told him again that I had no intention whatsoever to have to pay the economic price again for his uncontrolled actions. The Fuehrer meanwhile had been influenced by Goebbels. I don't know what Goebbels had told him about how much the masses of the people were enraged, to what extent they demanded action. At any rate, the mood of the Fuehrer was not the same as during my first complaint. During our conversation Goebbels who had been in the building joined us. He started with his usual speech: we could not take this any longer, this was the second or third time that a Jew murdered a National Socialist abroad. This was the first time he proposed to impose a fine, suggesting that the Party district offices should collect it. He named an inconceivably high sum. I disagreed and said to the Fuehrer: If a fine should be imposed, it should be done through the state. Mr. Goebbels has most of the Jews here in Berlin and is therefore not the right person to judge, as he would be the main benefactor of such a measure. Besides, if such a measure is to be considered, only the sovereign state has the right to do so. After a short discussion, the sum was put at one billion. I pointed out to the Fuehrer that such a sum would have repercussions on the tax revenues. Then the Fuehrer requested and ordered that the economic solution [of the Jewish question] should be implemented as well. In order that there should be no more reason for such occurrences, first all the Jewish firms that were visible and well known should be aryanized. Especially the department stores, where there were constantly problems as civil servants and employees who could only shop between 6 and 7 p.m. often went in and then encountered difficulties [for shopping in Jewish stores]. He outlined in general what was to be done. I then arranged for the meeting of November 12th with all the responsible offices. Unfortunately the Fuehrer had demanded that Goebbels should be a member of this committee - a committee was to be established. He was present although I had said that he had nothing to do with economic matters...'
