About two months ago I personally warned you of your responsibilities in connection with
About two months ago I personally warned you of your responsibilities in connection with this work. You have not ful-filled those responsibilities to my satis-faction. I am fully aware of the difficulties with which you have had to contend. I know that many of your colleagues have been removed for political reasons. I know the difficulties in connection with the labour situation in Cologne. I am fully alive to the position with regard to communication, shortage of coal, shortage of transport et cetera et cetera.3. I am however convinced that, with proper supervision and energy on your part, more could have been done to deal with these problems than has, in fact, been done.4.
In my opinion you have failed in your duty to the people of Cologne.5. You are therefore dismissed today from your appointment as Oberburgermeister of Cologne.6. You will leave Cologne as soon as possible, and in any case not later than 14 October.7. You will immediately hand over the duties of Oberburgermeister of Cologne to the Burgermeister of Cologne, Herr Suth.8.
Herr Suth will carry out the duties of Oberburgermeister of Cologne as a temporary measure pending the appointment of an Oberburgermeister.9. After you have handed over to Herr Suth you will take no further part in the administration or public life of Cologne or any other part of the Nordrhein province.10. You will not indulge either directly or indirectly in any political activity whatever.11. If you fail in any respect to observe the instructions contained in this letter, you will be brought to trial by the military court.12. You will acknowledge receipt of the letter hereon.Signed Barraclough, Brigadier Commanding the Military Government of Nordrhein Province.Adenauer said in his memoirs:I was asked to sign the original of this letter to confirm receipt. Asked whether I had any remarks to make, I said "No" and left the room.The decisive passage of this letter of dismissal was point 10, "You will not indulge either directly or indirectly in any political activity whatever." Many years later when Adenauer was Federal Chancellor he met John Barraclough at a state banquet.Barraclough asked me, "What did you really think when you got your letter of dismissal?" I replied, "I have a file 'Dismissal by the Nazis' at home.