Russians Seize Works In Saxony

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1946, Page 5

Russians Seize Works In Saxony

LONDON, Aug. 24. The Russians, without an official announcement, have taken over as Soviet property more than 200 of the most important industrial works in their zone in Germany, says the Berlin correspondent of the Observer. This appears a decisive step toward the permanent economic annexation of the zone. The industries so far listed as belonsifig to Sktb (Corporation of Soviet Industries) include the I. G. Farben works in Saxony, the Zeiss optical works in Jena, Krupps’ Maigeburg plant, most of the chemical industry and all the iron and steel plants. Between 300,000 and 400.000 Germans thus become Russian State employees. The transfer is still going on under an administrative arrangement devised by the Russians by which the decisions of the referendum in Saxony last spring have been expanded to enable the transfer to the Russians of the biggest works. PRISONERS IN AUSTRIA

The United States has almost completed the discharge of prisoners of war in its zone in Austria. It has released 358,280 and 1000 are still in custody. These are suspected of war crimes and may possibly be tried.

Five former Russian soldiers attempted to commit suicide and six others escaped from a United States train which was repatriating them to Russia, reports the Associated Press correspondent in Frankfurt. They were among 366 former members of the Red Army who were found fighting with the Germans. More than 50 American families have been driven from their homes at Bremerhaven as the result of the explosion of 150 tons of German ammunition.