TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT EC 137
OFFICE OF U.S. CHIEF OF COUNSEL

S E C R E T
W F A
Abt.L(IVa)
2101/40 secret F.H.Q., 9.8.40

Subjects Delegate for the Four Year Plan

Re: German Influence with Foreign Enterprises.

To:
Wi Rue Office

WFA/Department L supposes that the further work in this
matter on the part of OKW will be done by WI Rue office.
WFA only points out that:

a) Denmark, Poland and France are not mentioned and
b) the Armistice Commission has to be informed.

By order
(signature)

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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT EC 137
(cont.)

Reich Marshall of the Greater German Reich Berlin W 8,
Delegate for the Four Year Plan 2. August 1940
Leipzi gerstr. 3

SECRET

One of the goals of the German economic policy is the
increase of the German influence with foreign enterprises.
It cannot be seen yet if and in which way the Peace Treaty
will deal with the transfer of participations and so on.
but it is necessary already now that any opportunity is
used to make it possible for the German Economy to start the
penetration even during the war of the interesting objects
of the economy of the occupied countries and to prevent any
measures which could make it harder to reach the above mentioned
goal.

In this respect I would like to point out:

1. The capital transfer from Germany to the occupied countries
will be facilitated in such a way that already now directed
purchases of economic enterprises in the occupied countries
will be made possible by German circles. I will inform you
in the near future about further details; especially I re-
serve for myself the granting of permissions for the pur-
chasing of enterprises, participations, etc., situated in
occupied countries. The directives that will be issued by
me shall form the framework for these activities.

2. I suppose that the foreign exchange restrictions issued in
the occupied countries will be an effective blockade for
the transfer of titles of foreign economic enterprises
to third foreign countries (these will be in the main the
United States of America and Switzerland). I request that
the foreign exchange laws shall be worked over and, if
necessary, amended in order to make it possible to handle
the German right of permission in the above mentioned way.

3. It appears further useful to take care that title of econo-
mic enterprises which are located within one of the occupied
countries will only be sold to German interests and in no
case to citizens of another occupied country or a third
foreign country. I request to force through the necessary
legal regulations.

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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT EC 137
(cont.)

4. In view of the situation such measures will not be sufficient
to reserve the important enterprises for ourselves because
many times the participations or the titles were sold before
the entrance of German troops and the actual transfer to
foreign countries effected. It is desirable that such past
transfers of titles of home or foreign companies shall be
made illegal retroactive or it should be possible to issue
a directive to make the legal situation for the purchases
of such securities so insecure that the deal loses any inter
est for the buyer. I therefore ask you to examine how far our
object will be reached by issuing a decree which makes the
sale of such reghts of home or foreign enterprises retroactiv*
dependent on permission, I suggest to determine as effective
date the beginning of hostilities between the respective cou*
and the German Reich.

In this respect I like to point out that the foreign office a
ready has let it be known to the governments of the Balkan Countries
that we do not acknowledge aslegal all transfers of rights
Balkan enterprises, in Norwegian, Netherlands, Belgian. English
French possession effected after beginning of hostilities. The
Balkan Governments have been requested to change their own laws
accordingly. That means to make the transfer of partnerships on
home enterprises or of native enterprises by foreign owners dependent
on the permission of the respective Balkan Governments.

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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT EC 137
(cont.)

The point that in the occupied countries the permission for
transfers has been made retroactive will be a useful argument in
later negotiations even if the legality of such a permission
should be doubted in certain countries because of it having been
issued after the transfer took place. At least it will be possible
to gain time in this way which will give an opportunity for negotiations.

I ask for a report about the result of your examination to this
question.

Signed

Goering

a. Reichscommissar for the Occupied Netherlands Territories
b. Reichscommissar for the Occunted Norwegian Territories.
c. Military Commander Belgi**

I am Pending copy for your information. I request to inform the
Armistice Commission.

Signed
Goering

(Stamp) Certified
(signature)
Government Secretary

The Foreign Office C.O. Ministerial Director Wiehl
Reich Minister for Economics, C.O.Minister Dirigent Dr. Schlotter
Supreme Command of the Army, C.O. Warlimont
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Thomas

CERTIFICATE OF TRANSLATION
OF DOCUMENT EC 137

7 December 1945

I, LEO LOEB, Civilian, hereby certify that I am thoroughly
conversant with the English and German languages; and that the
above is a true and correct translation of Document EC 137.

LEO LOEB
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