AN ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 5

AN ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE

WHEN THE WAR IS OVER. GERMANY'S PREPARATIONS. (Received 10.35 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 20.

The "Hamburger Nachrichten" urges preparations for an economic offensive after the war. It states that German manufacturers in the_ past three years have accumulated large reserves of finished products, chemicals, dyes, machinery, toys and scientific appliances, which will he launched on the world's markets the moment peace is concluded. This will help to pay for raw materials. Threats of an economic boycott were only British bluff. The world, needing Ger-man-made goods, would turn a deaf ear to attempts to continue a trade war. Brazil had a million tons of coffee, which only Germany could take, the Argentine would readily sell Germany her vast surpluses of wool, while the Central «.nd South American markets were so enormous that German buyers had no danger of being shut out. Even American cotton, copper and rubber, and Australian spelter would be at Germany's disposal. "Dr. Solf retains the title of Colonial Secretary," continues the "Nachriehten." "He travels frequentty to Hamburg, and heartens the people with orations about the magnificent prospects opening after the war. In Africa, the South Seas, and in Australasian waters, we shall possess our old colonies, rounded off to suit the new conditions. Despite London's bragging, the fate of the colonies depends on Hindenburg and 4 Ludendorff, not on English politicians."—(A. and N.Z.)