Letter from unkown author to Belle, June 20, 1947 - page 1

20 June 1947 Deer Belle, N 1-47 1 ? In the Standard Oil matter on buns, what we would like to have is Standard's version of what took place at the conference in 1938 which Ter Meer attended. We, of course, have enough to argue from the documents at hand but there is an evidentiary gap which we would like to secure. So that you may more readily see what we are after, I think this background will be helpful: Von Knierlem in his interrogation said that "in 1938 Ter Meer went to the United States with some technical assistants to take up in 8 fundamental wsy the question of production of buna in the United States with Standard Oil * * * Ter Meer told me that he was present in a board meeting of Standard Oil when, the question was broadly discussed — the question of starting oroductlon of buna on a large scale on the basis of oil in the United States. Standard Oil was not ready to commit Itself at that time to full scale oroductlon. They wanted first to see the results of further experimental work to be don I. 0. in Germany with regard to abrasion of tires. This experimental work was cone in 1939 and turned out with good results". “ question: And is it your understanding that when you concluded your conference with Standard in 1938 that Standard Oil was ready to undertake full production provided the further experiment on the abrasion of tires proved successful? Answer: Only one little detail. Standard Oil was willing to start full scale production, I mean it might not have been the production of Standard itself, but to try to start production in the United States. It could have beer, also more orofitsble to start on a licensing basis v?lth new discussions with a rubber company. Question : Under the Jaeco Agreement could Goodrich and Goodyear or any other rubber company in the United States h: ve secured the buna patents from I. G. without the consent of Standard Oil? Answer: Ко. * * * w,ue s tl on : In 1938 when Ter Meer went to the United States and discussed the matter of full scale oroductlon with Standard Oil, was I. G. Farben ready and willing and able to deliver the know-how and secret formula for the oroductlon of ouna? Answer: Yes, certainly willing md certainly able ar.d we hsd special permission from the government. Question: Did you consult wit lent before the negotiations? Answer: Ter Meer consulted with the government before he went over in 1938 to America. * * * Question: So that when Ter Meer left in 1938 for the United States, he knew from the German officials what he could disclose and what he could not disclose? Answer : He knew he could disclose the whole thing as far as buna was concerned because we would not have put Standard Oil in the situation to get only 4/5 of the knowledge, question: Did you Inform Standard Oil that you had kept the German officials advised on the status of the negotiations? Answer: I am pretty sure Ter Meer would have told them."