CUTTING ENEMY SUPPLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 6

CUTTING ENEMY SUPPLIES

An official statement of British seizures of contraband consigned to Germany, during the last week in September, is particularly interesting because it names the kinds of goods involved. The list is a comprehensive one, including hematite iron ore, copper ore, rubber, phosphates, oil seeds, oils and fats, cotton and other fibres, foodstuffs and other commodities, both necessities and luxuries. Thus a glimpse is given of the extent to which British control of the seas is interrupting the supply of things which Germany must have if her war effort is to be continued, and the needs of the people be met. A valuable survey of German resources, and the country's dependence on overseas supplies, was issued so recently as August by the Royal Institute of International Affairs. It is a well-balanced statement of the situation, and, in the case of every commodity considered, the prospect of European supplies not subject to sea blockade being sufficient is given full weight. Thus it is submitted that Germany's full requirements in iron ore, lead, zinc, timber, cereals and livestock, to name some of the most important, could be obtained from Europe, including Soviet Russia. In one or two instances, the necessity for resort to such sources as Italy and Yugoslavia would create a transport problem, in the absence of normal sea carriage. That difficulty could, no doubt, be overcome. On the other hand, for some vital materials and foodstuffs, Germany is very largely dependent on the outside world, and has little hope of obtaining adequate supplies while British vigilance closes the normal peacetime channels. Copper, rubber, cotton, nickel and vegetable oils stand high in the list. Accessible Europe cannot meet the demand, and thus such captures as are shown to have been made indicate how vital and how deadly the blockade may be.