SECRET
WF A
Abt.L(IVa) F.H.Q., 9.8.40
2101/40 secret
Subject: 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 illegible]
EC-137
SECRET
Reich Marshall of the Greater German Reich Delegate for the Four Year Plan
Leipzigerstr. 3
Berlin W 8,
2. August 1940
One of the goals of the German ecohomic 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 oh, 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 reserve for myself the granting of permissions for the purchasing 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 economic 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.
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
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should be possible to issue a directive to make the legal situation for the purchaser of such securities so insecure that the deal loses any interest 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 rights of home or foreign enterprises retroactive dependent on permission. I suggest to determine as effective date the beginning of hostilities between the respective country and the German Reich.
In this respect I like to point out that the foreign office already has let it be known to the governments of the Balkan Countries that we do not acknowledge as legal all transfers of rights on Balkan enterprises in Norwegian, Netherlands, Belgian, English, or 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.
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 Occupied Norwegian Territories.
c. Military Commander Belgium I
I am sending 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. Schlot-terer .
Supreme Command of the Army, C.O. Warlimont Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Thomas
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