Would undoubtedly try to avoid meeting German troops*, and from the tone of Hitler’s recent speech as well as that of Ribbentrop’s, I feel that German attitude toward the United States is being considerably stiffened. There are indications at present that Germany would not refuse to fight the United States if necessary. (Part 2) “2. I made inquiries as to the future of the war against the Soviet Union. “Ribbentrop: ‘The Fuehrer has stated that he is now determined to crush the Soviet Union to an even greater extent than he had planned at first. He is now bent on completely wiping out the state and went on to announce that practically all of the main military objectives had been attained and that a greater part of the German troops would shortly be brought back to Germany. “’Following up those campaigns, the Caucasus campaign will be launched in earnest. Next spring Germany will advance to and cross the Ural Mountains and chase Stalin deep into Siberia.’ “I: Approximately when do you expect that?’ “Ribbentrop: ‘The campaign will be launched in about May of next year, according to present schedules.’ “I: ‘According to what you say, Germany is apparently preparing to gamble quite a bit in her Russian campaign. We hope that air connections between Germany and Manchukuo can be established at an early time.’ “Ribbentrop: ‘That is an item that Germany has been considering for some time. By summer of next year I do not believe that air connection from the Ural area to