In considering how to meet the situation the following devices are unbearable for the Wehrmacht:
1. Reduction of mechanized traffic because this would, in addition to precarious economic and psychological effects, bring about a throttling of German motorization, which in view of the requirements of the Wehrmacht in case of war, would be a shock to mobility and supply of replacements.
2. Just as undesirable is to be considered the diminishing of reserves. The industrial reserves constitute the basis for mobilization, which has to rely on firm figures which remain about constant. As a decrease of reserves has already started, the further development in this direction is to be counteracted immediately. Aid from the reserves of the Wehrmacht cannot be granted because these modest quantities being ultimate reserves cannot be diminished under any circumstances.
Consequently, only the following means are to be considered:
1. Conceding to the Rumanian demands of paying imports in marks on a considerably raised price-basis.
2. Additional payments in foreign bills proper [Bardevisen] of imports from Anglo-Saxon countries.
3. Investigation to what extent an improvement can be achieved by accelerating or expanding the facilities for German production.
The first course has been followed by the authorization to negotiate new contracts on the basis of the Rumanian demands. Adequate and punctual delivery to the market, however, is not yet assured hereby.
Re. 2. Foreign bills [Devisen] for the minimum of the indispensable import requirements can probably be obtained only by reduction of import of other necessities. The narrow limits of the presently assured raw materials for armament do not allow for a decrease of such imports which are indispensable for the Wehrmacht. In particular we cannot do without the necessary quantities of metals required by the Wehrmacht for current procurements.
Re. 3. As a result of investigations made, essential changes cannot be expected at a date within sight.