ASTONISHING VITALITY AND ACTIVITY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 81, 3 October 1921, Page 7

ASTONISHING VITALITY AND ACTIVITY

"KOLOSSAL" EXPENDITURE ON

PUBLIC WORKS

STINNES" ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIGHT.) .■(AUSTRALIA!) - NSW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received 3rd October, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Ist October. Mr. Alexander Thompson, the Daily Mail's special correspondent at Munich, says that German vitality and activity is so astonishing that to make an unadorned and photographic statement of the facts exposes one to the suspicion of . making an interested and purposeful exaggeration. He arrived during the industrial exhibition of the metal congress, the Wagner festival and the annual fair, which brought 150,000 people from all parts of- Bavaria. On inquiring fccnv the peasants can afford costly new costumes, he wa-s told that everybody knows that the peasants, -who were formerly the poorest of the people, became rich during the war, and all had lots of money now. He remarked that the •whole crowd were well dressed and had plenty of money, and a business man re: ' plied: "That is one of-the most alarming symptoms of our extraordinary situation. People formerly noted for their thriftiness now spend all they can get, saying, 'Why save money for the Government and foreigners to take in taxes and reparations. , It is much better to enjoy oneself.' That is the mental attitude of the German workman to-day, in Bavaria especially." The proposals! . fa- expenditure on public works soar to heights only describable in the favourite word "Kolossal." Munich lately built a large model railway station, and an enormous sum is beinff devoted to the completion of a splendid new museum, though the city is incomparably rich in art galleries and cultural institutions. Roads are being straightened, steep gradients abolished, and a vast scheme of electrical development is projected to convert the waterpower resources to national -wealth. The most ambitious .[plan is to connect the Rhine with the main Danube, enabling vessels of 1500 tone to sail from Bremen to the Black 6ea. Extending trade in the Balkans and the strengthening of German influence in the Middle East is the essential basis of these projects. There is financial co-operation between financiers and the Government.

The Daily Mail, in a leader, says: — "Germany apparently 'has an abundance of money to spend in vast railwaystations and electric plant. By sinking large sums she thus prevents the Allies getting hold of the money for reparations. This development may have a close relation to the rapid arid mysteri--011 fall of the mark. By depressing the mark German millionaires may hope to kill two birds with one stone, using the fall a? one more proof of their poverty and desperate financial position. _ It is part of a great economic offensive by Herr Stinnes and his friends against British and Allied trade, and provides a. further reason that Allied diplomacy should bs alert."