JR
This telegram must be                        Berlin
closely paraphrased be-
fore being communicated                      Dated March 2, 1940
to anyone.  (SC)                             
                                        Rec'd 4:45 p.m.
 
Secretary of State,
 
     Washington.
 
     539, March 2, 2 p.m.
 
     FOR THE SECRETARY FROM WELLES.
 
     In accordance with our agreement I am not telegraphing you any details of the
conversations I have had with the Chancellor and other members of the German Government.  I
have spoken at some length with the Chancellor, with the Foreign Minister, and with the Under
State Secretary concerning our views on international trade relations.  I am gratified to report to
you that I believe they take approximately the same position as taken by the chief of the Italian
Government namely that while present conditions make it impossible for them to relinquish the
autarchic system now in operation they nevertheless support the principles which we support as
the desirable objectives to which the German Government should return if and when a sound and
lasting peace is established.  I am being received tomorrow by Field Marshall Goering and I shall
leave with him the full text of the principles as finally approved by ourselves.
 
                              KIRK