GERMANY’S “GIFT” TO FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 157, 29 March 1941, Page 11

GERMANY’S “GIFT” TO FRANCE

A Barter Agreement HOLLOW CLAIM BY DARLAN (British Official Wireless.) (Received March 28, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 27. The official though unwilling disclosure in Vichy that the recent transfer of wheat from the French occupied zone to the unoccupied zone—wheat released as a “gift” by the Germans from supplies requisitioned in France —were part of a barter arrangement creates no surprise in London. It has always been realized that any such transfer will, in accordance with Nazi economic policy, inevitably benefit Getmany at the expense of plundered France.. The occupied zone, according to Vichy, is to send to the unoccupied zone 800,000 tons of wheat, 200,000 tons of sugar, 100,000 tons of bran, and 300,000 tons of potatoes. In exchange the unoccupied zone will send to the occupied zone .100,000 head of cattle, 600,000 head of small live stock, 600,000 calves and hogs, 36,000 tons of table oil, 100,000 tons of salt,, 60,000 tons of fresli vegetables. 80,000 tons ef cheese and a large quantity of wine. The “Generous” Nazis. The hollowness of Admiral Darlan's pretensions when on March 10 he announced that the Germans had presented the wheat to France and stated: “You see the Germans are more generous than the English,” is further illustrated by reliable information reaching London concerning the transport of goods over the French railways during the month ended January 15. The transport programme covers goods carried from the unoccupied as well as the occupied zone to Germany or other German occupied territory, and includes large freights of materials of which Germany stands in urgent need as well as those with which she lias stated is plentifully supplied. *

In the former category are, for instance, 45,000 tons of lead, 17,250 tons of leather, 28,165 tons of slaughtered cattle (25,765 tons for the German army), 56,215 tons of cotton and 6750 tons of whale oil. In the latter category are 7500 tons of bauxite, 9300 tons of aluminium, 38,272 tons of flour, and 75,000 tons of grain. An interesting item is coffee, of which 3000 tons has been carried from unoccupied France to central Germany. It will be recalled from unoccupied France to central Germany. It will be recalled that Germany recently made great play of the presentation of 300 tons of “ersatz” coffee to France. Such figures underline afresh the onesided nature of the “collaboration” forced on France by her Nazi masters.