 |
should enter into new
negotiations in the spirit of the present agreements and endeavor to adapt
their relations to the changed conditions which have so
arisen.” |
This agreement of 1929 was followed in 1930 by another agreement, the
purpose of which was stated to be “the desire and intention of the parties
to develop and exploit their new chemical processes jointly on the basis of
equality (50-50).” [NI-10433, Pros. Ex. 945.] A jointly owned
corporation called Jasco was organized to develop any processes turned over to
it either by Standard Oil Company or Farben. It was agreed by the parties to
the contract that the development of synthetic rubber processes, as well as the
developments in the synthetic rubber field, should be turned over to Jasco.
[NI-documents 10433, 10431, 10434, 10450, 11249, 10576, 10565, Pros. Ex.
945-951 inclusive.]
Early in the Nazi regime, indications of
limitations imposed upon the relationship of German enterprises with those
abroad began to appear. However, Farben continued its policy of negotiating and
making international agreements within their field of interest. On 9 March
1934, Farben wrote Chemnyco, its subsidiary in New York, in connection with the
view which the "German Government takes of international agreements about
technical collaboration" that "we should * * * not allow foreign industry to
gain the impression that in this respect we are not free to negotiate." [NI-10547, Pros. Ex. 952.]
In a memorandum dated 24 June 1935, concerning a conference held on 21
June 1935 between Farben and the Army Ordnance Branch at Ludwigshafen-Oppau
[NI-5931, Pros. Ex. 523], it was said: |
| |
“The IG is bound by contract
to an extensive exchange of experience with Standard. This position seems
untenable as far as developmental work which is being carried out for the Reich
Air Ministry is concerned.
“Therefore the Reich Air Ministry will
soon conduct an extensive examination of applications for patents of the IG.
“Furthermore, the IG will suggest the necessary security measures
to the Reich Air Ministry under special consideration of the
situation.” |
| Even though the conflict between the obligation of Farben under its
agreements with Standard Oil and the requirements of the German authorities was
thus early realized by Farben, nothing was done by Farben frankly to inform
Standard Oil of its situation and to “enter into any negotiations in the
spirit of the present agreement and endeavor to adapt them relative to the
changed conditions which had so arisen.” Rather Farben pursued a policy,
in cooperation with the Nazi government, calculated to mislead the Standard Oil
Company. Howard, of Standard Oil, had occasion to express the understanding of
|
1274 |
. 
