METAL WEALTH OF NORWAY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23002, 23 April 1940, Page 9

METAL WEALTH OF NORWAY

LITTLE ADVANTAGE FOR GERMANY (EHITISB OrTICIAJ. Wir.EL.n33.) RUGBY, April 21. “Contrary to the general impression, Norway is not particularly rich in metallic minerals," states the “Economist," discussing possible German gains in the way of metals by establishing control of Norway. “With no coke resources to warrant the foundation of a large scale iron and steel industry, Norway must export her ore, and is only a minor producer and shipper of pig iron and steel. On the other hand. Norway is an important producer of refined non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc, aluminium, and nickel, Of these, Britain has alternative sources of supply, but as Norway has to import most of her ore, Germany would gain little, even if she succeeded in seizing the smelters and refiners south of Trondheim. “In the case of zinc, Norway imports about nine times as much ore as she produces, and in the case of nickel ore the vast bulk of primary material is imported from Canada. A considerable part of Norwegian production of aluminium is entirely based on bauxite supplies from abroad, and Germany cannot gel enough bauxite for her own works. “Without the necessary foreign supplies of chrome ore, manganese ere, or wolfram, Norway’s production of typical ferro-alloys used in steel-making must fall to zero, for Germany cannot fill the gap. In a short while the loss of iron ore imports from Narvik may be decisive for Germany. “Her temporary, control of Norway’s metal industries south of Trondheim would not assist her war effort to any significant extent or cripple Britain’s.” . ,1 Neutrals Send Money to U.S.Many wealthy neutrals in countries bordering Germany have been sending their money to the United States for investment. Figures issued in Washington show that more than £. 250,000,000 has been invested in this Way t>y Europeans in the names of other people. In addition, it is believed that the total includes some-thing-put away by Germans against the day when they may consider the Reich is no longer safe for them. —New York, April 21.