862.6363/152
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hamburg ( Erhardt )
Sir: Your report of August 21, 1934, submitted to the American Embassy at Berlin (Serial No. 6), regarding reported negotiations between the Reich Government and the two largest German oil importers has been read with interest by the Department.
You are requested to continue to follow this matter carefully and to submit to the Department and to the Embassy any further information on this subject that becomes available.
The Department is particularly interested in obtaining specific details as to the amounts of foreign exchange that will accrue to the Shell and other concerns as a result of exports of oil products from Germany, (See page 3 of your report), and as to the extent to which petroleum purchases are being diverted to Rumania and other countries with which clearing agreements are in effect.
Very truly yours,