Geist, Raymond H., Berlin. To G.S. Messersmith, Washington.

Concerned for Messersmith's health because of pressure of work; Peter Berlin has making of good officer; remains optimistic in spite of recent war scare; improvement in Vienna Consulate since [Leland Burnette] Morris arrived; concerned, however, over his failure to submit political reports to Embassy in Berlin; necessary for Geist to intervene several times during [John Cooper] Wiley's tenure; attended dinner given by Ambassador [Hugh R.] Wilson for [Charles A.] Lindberg and [Hermann] G??ring; served as interpreter for them for nearly an hour; G??ring conceited and verbose; talked for an hour of the "mighty things he could do"; gave luncheon himself for his "devils", several high Nazi officials; necessary to stay on good terms with them, for only by personal contact can anything be accomplished; managed to have a number of people released from concentration camps by that means; glad Fritz Eichberg and Emil Baewald got out in time; Baerwald now in Switzerland and wife will follow in December; immigration work discouraging; 125,000 applications as against available number of 27,300 for fiscal year; new applicants must wait 3 or 4 years; hopes Intergovernmental Committee can open a few doors into other countries; conferred with Ambassador regarding plans for [George] Rublee to come to Germany; Hitler himself should not be approached as he is rabid on subject of foreign intervention on behalf of refugees; will give Rublee all help possible; thinks Blucher Palace can be organized to accommodate diplomatic establishment comfortably; title of Consul General not necessary to accomplishment of his work but if Department thinks it will increase his prestige or make his supervisory work more effective, will accept the decision; will always try to help Messersmith's friends in Germany when asked; autograph P.S. reports sister improved