Germany’s Trade Worries

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1939, Page 5

Germany’s Trade Worries

(Received 1 p.m.)

LONDON, November 27:

Mr Waldemar Hoeffding, writing tc the “New York Times” from Berlin says that with the proclamation of Britain’s export blockade of Germany South-Eastern Europe’s potentialities both as a source of food and materials, and as a market for German exports. are undergoing a new analysis. The following important obstacles must be removed to enable the Reich to substitute land areas adjacent-fot what was originally transported over the western seas: ■ ~<i

Transportation, Prices,

The first obstacle is. transporta tip: difficulties. '■

The second, Germany’s limited ability to export in wartime. The third, the rising prices of Soutl|| Eastern European products. The fourth, the promotion of their own industries by the Balkans, ' who are tending to absorb their own raw materials.

The fifth, Italian competition for food and Industrial material. The sixth, the Allies’ counter moves. The stoppage of the sea routes doubled the burdens on the other means of transport. ■; Lull in Front Valuable.

Rumania’s demand that German tankers come to the border and carry petroleum emphasise the German transport difficulty. • The present lull on the Western Front facilitated German efforts to maintain exports, but how long this' state of affairs will continue was unknown. • ■'

The 30 per cent, increase in petrol prices in Rumania and Yugoslavia, and similar increases '

for minerals, indicate the price increase difficulties.

Italy’s Sacred Egotism.

Minerals, wool, flax, hides and oilseeds are expected in the long run t'p become increasingly absorbed by the. inevitable industrial expansion hi, South-East Europe which will result in diminution of their availability to Germany. Italy’s sacred egotism, with,-the con-' sequent export offensive in the Balkans, is being increasingly headlined, even in the German Press.

Only the sixth category, whether! the Allies will be able to outbid Ger- : many for materials from South-' 1 , Eastern Europe as they did in 1914/? remains to be seen.