PROOF OF PLUNDERING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13240, 16 January 1941, Page 6

PROOF OF PLUNDERING

EVIDENCE BY GERA lAN RADIO (BY "KNOB-TURNER"! “If there is any starving to be done in Europe, the Germans will starve last” said an American commentator on August 3. The iaea behind this view was that the Germans would plunder Europe to fill their own depleted larders. Efforts to convince the world that food troubles in Europe were due entirely to the British blockade fell down in the face of clear evidence from Nasi sources of a sudden increase of foodstuffs, and Dr. Goebbels then began to insist that there was no food shortage in Europe. Every little while, however, the radio supplies contradictions of the doctor’s assurances, indicating that the maldistribution of food is Germany’s fault.

By contrasting the advice of the Nazi dietary commissars with some of their recent declarations, people in countries occupied by Hitler's looters can learn where their food has gone. Last winter the inhabitants of the Reich proper were told:

“Do not throw your frozen potatoes away. They can be used if treated properly. Soak them in cold water for 24 hours. Bring to the boil in this water and then simmer in fresh water till they are ready. If a sweet taste still remains, they can be used for puddings. The important thing is-—do not throw them away.” (Konigsherger Allgemeine Zeitung, January 31, 1940.) “Good bread needs no addition. It is only the fault of bread if people need butter, lard or margarine.” (Deutsche Allemeine Zeitung, March 8, 1940.)

According to the Reich Carpenter and Trade Journal (April 4) “white quality grinding dust” is a suitable ingredient for the bread in question and “should be sold to bakers and macaroni-makers.”

But to-day the pure Aryans in Nazi Germany hear no more of make shift ingredients and ersatz delicacies. Instead Br. Goebbels’s loud speakers trumpet to them that “coffee will again be served on German breakfast tables,” that “more meat is available,” or that “reserves of pigs and poultry have substantially increased.”

An official announcement on October 3 naively explained: “All these improvements have been effected without reducing stocks. In many respects stocks have even been enlarged.”

How have they been enlarged? Listen to the Nazi voices:—• The “Nouvelliste” of Lyons, a notoriously pro-Nazi paper recently said:

"No one need be distressed by rationing, because 200 years ago no one ate sugar, potatoes or coffee.”

Then the, German controlled wireless carried on the tale:

“Coffee will not be composed of pure coffee, but of one-third coffee and two-thirds ersatz. Grape-pips are useful in this connection.” (September 6, 1940).

“Butter and margarine can be replaced with the skimmings off meat soup.” (October 7, 1940.) In Holland, Count Groto, dictator of Dutch Agriculture, preached: “The Dutch people must adjust its dietary habits to existing circumstances.” t

The “circumstances” judging by German hints to Dutch housewives, are hardly calculated to make Dutch mouths water.

“An egg for breakfast is a very popular dish, but not a vital necessity.” (German broadcast in Dutch, September 6, 1940.) “Here is a delicious recipe- for horsemeat hash. 400 grammes of fillet of horsemeat, 100 grammes of fat. 500 grammes onions, four gills water, 250 grammes rice, half a gravy tablet or one tablespoonful of burnt sugar, plus two beef cubes; a clash of vinegar, half-spoonful of flour, quarter bay loaf, pepper, salt; season with cloves.” (German broadcast to Holland, October 17. 1940.)

\ The cat slipped out of the bag in !a broadcast to Denmark (August 6): j “If the population live chiefly on ■vegetables instead of on animal products, the Northern 'Countries will be able not only to supply themselves but also to contribute to the maintenance of the German people." A suggestion for a vegetable diet for the Danes was put through Goebbels’ megaphone a little while ago: “Grass, which used to be dried for use as concentrated cattle fodder, is now to be used for baking. Th© bread tastes good, and the green colour should not put people off buying it.” Peoples in countries now under the Nazi jack-boot know how Germany improved her dietary.