[Moffat, Jay Pierrepont], Washington. To G.S. Messersmith, Vienna.

P. 4 partially deleted. Thanks Messersmith for his letters and for kind personal remarks; Mrs. [Erhardt] Hammerand's case handled well, and family in America appreciative; thinks Messersmith has done all possible in matter of Vacuum Oil Co.; will talk to representative of company here and explain matters to him; wishes American companies operating abroad would employ American agents and that they would not deal through paid intermediaries; in Germany, [Raymond H.] Geist successful in effecting release of property of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society which had been seized; Geist has continued his excellent work; when Douglas Jenkins took over Consulate, recommended to Personnel Board that Geist be sent a special commendation; George Earle here recently and asked for latest news of Austria; Earle waging hot political fight in Pennsylvania; has strong opponent and fears he will lose election; [Frederick M.] Sackett was in recently; Sackett had been under great strain until his niece, Mrs. [Berry V.] Stoll [who had recently been kidnapped] was released; Department's chief concern now Naval Conference business; Japanese being difficult