Messersmith, G.S. Memorandum to Secretary [Cordell Hull] with copies to Undersecretary [Sumner Welles], [James Clement] Dunn, [Jay Pierrepont] Moffat, and [Herbert] Feis.
Date
1939-01-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Appended memorandum missing. Comments on memorandum appended to despatch No. 469 from Berlin Embassy covering conversation of [Donald C.] Heath of the Embassy with [Hjalmar] Schacht; statements of Schacht a mixture of truth and misrepresentation characteristic of him; Schacht a complex character; has known him well over several years; Schacht one of cleverest, most resourceful, and at same time most unscrupulous bankers in world today; dominating characteristic is ambition to play great role; his contempt for Americans - and particularly American bankers, openly expressed; he has no sympathy for Nazis but has become their mouthpiece and puppet only to hold his position; now relegated to secondary position, he is bitter; his statement that if he could sit down with Secretary Hull they could quickly find a way out of their difficulties means nothing; he has no power to act on his own.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.