English Translation

219 The head of the Prague, 27July 1940. GROUP ECONOMY Dr. G i e s on the head of department II. I am not aware of an exchange of letters between head of staff Simon and the Secretary of State concerning the acquisition of the "Linde" by the "Deutsche Ring" and is not present at any events. Because of the prospect of an association of two other insurance companies (the "Märisch-Schlesisch Wechsei- igen" and the "Volksfürsorge") the head of staff Simon has turned to the Secretary of State, this project has now broken down. The events are in a different context to the present Ministerial Conductor Dr. Bertsch. I have just learned that the Swiss company "Merkur" has resigned from the acquisition of "Linde" shares. A sale of the "Linde" insurance on the basis of foreign exchange now ceases. Furthermore, it remains factually with the opinion set out in the above note.