Messersmith, G.S., Berlin. Despatch No. 1233 to Secretary of State [Cordell Hull], Washington.

Enclosure: See No. 145. Reports efforts to protect American business interests threatened by Nazi discriminatory measures; American owned firms in Germany advised they could not sell products in Germany; other American owned firms received forms to be filled in stating (1) they are purely German firms, (2) are not owned exclusively or principally by foreigners or Jews, and (3) company not founded on Marxist principles; if forms not acceptably filled in, public works will not be allowed to buy from them; acts are clearly violation of treaty rights of American owned firms, discussed problem with Dr. Bang, Staatssekretaer and head of Ministry of Commerce, who agreed treaty rights had been violated and promised to do all in his power to bring about satisfactory adjustment; Dr. Bang suggested that if matter were brought to attention of office of the Chancellor, it would facilitate the action he might take; action against foreign firms result of Nazi Party orders and minister could not, on his own, rescind them