ASSET TO REICH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23806, 12 May 1939, Page 10

ASSET TO REICH

SKODA ARMS FACTORY USE IN TRADE BARGAINING LONDON, May 5. Germany’s possession of the vast supplies of the Skoda arms factories, which Germany acquired by her Czech coup, and which Herr Hitlet mentioned in his recent speech to the Reichstag, is apparently proving a useful asset in tire trade contest now being waged in South-east Europe. Germany does not want this booty, because if she equipped her divisions with it, it would complicate supply problems, detract from the Reichswehr’s great mobility, and rob the Reichswehr of one of its greatesl advantages, compared with a combination of the allies—namely, the Reichswehr’s possession of standard equipment on all fronts. Consequently the Czech booty is more useful on the trade than on the military front, enabling Germany apparently to outbid Britain in both Jugoslavia and Rumania, where Germany is offering no credits in the usual sense. The captured armaments, however, are incidentally securing customers for the Skod i works, upon which Rumania, Jugoslavia, or any other purchasers o: Herr Hitler’s booty would be dependent for further supplies. Both the Jugoslavian and Rumanian armies are equipped with a variety of types of small arms and guns, including Skoda products.