I. State of Defense
ARTICLE 1
The Fuehrer and Reichschancellor can declare a state of defense for the area of the Reich in case danger of war threatens.
ARTICLE 2
(1) With the declaration of a state of defense the entire power of execution devolves upon the Fuehrer and Reichschancellor. The Reichsminister of war exercises it by his orders.
(2) The Reichsminister is empowered in the carrying out of the power of execution to issue legal regulations which may deviate from existing laws. He can, in order to enforce his regulation, threaten punishments and set up special courts.
ARTICLE 3
(1) The Reichsministers are to observe the instructions of the Reichsminister of war. They remain the highest Reich authorities within their realm of activity.
(2) The Reichsministers will in case of a state of defense effect the necessary measures and are empowered to issue legal regulations which may deviate from existing laws.
II. Mobilization
ARTICLE 4
(1) If conflict with an external enemy becomes unavoidable, the Fuehrer and Reichschancellor can order mobilization.
(2) The ordering of mobilization includes in itself the declaration of a state of defense according to Part I, in case the latter is not already proclaimed, without prejudice to the directive of Article Six.
(3) With the ordering of mobilization a state of war in the definition of this law begins.
ARTICLE 5
The Reichsministers will effect the necessary measures in case of mobilization and are empowered to issue legal regulations which may deviate from existing laws.
ARTICLE 6
(1) The Fuehrer and Reichschancellor will appoint a plenipotentiary-general for war economy to direct the entire war economy.
(2) It is the task of the plenipotentiary-general for war-economy to put all economic forces in the service of carrying on the war and to secure the life of the German people economically.
(3) Subordinate to him are:
The Reichsminister for economy
The Reichsminister for food and agriculture
The Reichs labor minister
The Reichs forest master and all Reichs’ agents immediately subordinate to the Fuehrer and Reichschancellor.
Furthermore the financing of the war effort (in the province of the Reichs finance ministry and of the Reichsbank) will be carried on under his responsibility.
(4) The plenipotentiary-general for war economy is authorized, within his realm of responsibility, to issue legal regulations, which may deviate from the existing laws.