Diamonds Looted

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 3

Diamonds Looted

NAZIS IN AMSTERDAM. Fewer than 700 skilled diamond workers are left in Amsterdam, according to Ivan Bevan, Sydney Morning Herald wa- correspondent. Before the war there were many thousands employed in the industry, which at the height of its prosperity, virtually supported half the city. Many craftsmen were killed by the Germans a few weeks ago, when evacuation trains from the diamond factory at Celle were deliberately driven into the flood waters. Thousands f>f others who have gone were Jews sent by the Germans to death in Poland. Their loss is a far greater blow to Amsterdam’s economy than 23,000 carats of diamonds which the Germaus plundered from Jewish dealers and 32,000 carats which they bought at ridiculously low “official” prices. The total stock of unset diamonds in Amsterdam today is estimated at 12,000 carats of rough diamonds and 10,000 carats of polished diamonds. Most of these were cunningly hidden throughout the occupation. Dealings have not yet revived at the Bourse, but a meeting lias been held to discuss plans for reviving trade relations with London and New York, and for sending an official party to Germany to search for the plundered diamonds, which could be recovered by experts.