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TRANSLATION OF
DOCUMENT NI-6735
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT
1184 |
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| LETTER FROM DEFENDANT VON KNIERIEM TO THE REICH MINISTRY OF
ECONOMICS, 17 DECEMBER 1941, CONCERNING A PROPOSED TRUSTEE AGREEMENT RELATING
TO SYNTHETIC RUBBER PLANTS IN RUSSIA |
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I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT,
LUDWIGSHAFEN /RHINE
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| Secret |
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To the Reich Ministry of Economics
Attention: Ministerialrat Dr.
Roemer or deputy
Berlin W. 8, Behrenstr. 43 |
| Dr. H./Ho 17 December 1941 |
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Synthesekautschuk-Ost G.m.b.H.
We acknowledge receipt of
your letter of 24 November 1941 with new draft of trusteeship agreement between
the Reich, the G.m.b.H., and Farben.
First of all, we would like to
propose that the name of Kunstkautschuk-Ost G.m.b.H. be changed to
Synthesekautschuk-Ost G.m.b.H., because our sales organization has repeatedly
found that the use of the prefix “Kunst” [artificial] creates the
undesirable idea of an “Ersatz” [substitute] product in the
customer's mind.
We have thoroughly examined your draft which differs
not inconsiderably from the arrangement negotiated earlier with the Chemical
Department of your office. As the result of this examination, we take the
liberty of enclosing an alternative draft. We shall be glad to discuss this
alternative draft with you personally and we therefore. refrain from adding
lengthy explanations in writing now.
We take the liberty of adding the
following remarks in connection with a few points only:
Article 3,
paragraph 2
While, according to the wording of the present drafts,
the independent existence of the G.m.b.H. seemed to be guaranteed to some
extent in spite of the decisive influence to be exercised by the Reich, the
wording of article 3, paragraph 2, of your new draft leaves the possibility
open, in theory, that the committee envisaged by it could use its directive
powers so extensively as practically to exclude the possibility of the
independent existence of the G.m.b.H. or any adequate freedom of action on the
part of its business management. We are, of course, aware that this is not
intended, but would appreciate it if the directive powers of the committee were
limited to “fundamental questions,” and the scope of the cooperation
between the Reich |
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