English Translation

18 1 4-Oberführer Dr.Bertsch Prague, 1 September 1942. Ve r t r a u lie h ! Mr. State Secretary. Today I called Mr. Secretary of State Dr. Landfried in the Reich Ministry of Economics because of the Balkan trip of the Reich Minister F u n k. He explained to me on my question, Reich Minister Funk visits Hungary and Romania, not also Bulgaria. Prior to his departure, the Minister of the Reich had expressly declared to him that he would not make any binding commitments because of the divestment of German minority interests in enterprises of the mentioned countries. He merely wanted to listen in a friendly manner to what these governments wanted. It was only after his return that the Reichsprotektor decided which concessions Germany wanted to show and which shareholdings would then be given if necessary. No obligation to report or offer was in question on this occasion. So there was no concern at all about the interests of the protectorates. Furthermore, the trip of the Reich Minister Funk is primarily concerned with the question of oil. On the occasion of my presence in Berlin on the 14th of March, I will further deepen the matter with the State Secretary Dr. Landfried. At any steps I do not seem to be able to take at this time after the information has become available. Adolf has been taught by me today. 5 of 1972