THE BLOCKADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23954, 1 November 1939, Page 7

THE BLOCKADE

EFFECT ON GERMANY SUPPLIES DWINDLING GREAT SHORTAGE OF PETROL (British Official 'Wireless)' RUGBY, Oct. 30. (Received Oct. 31, at 10 p.m.) Interesting evidence of the effect of the British blockade of Germany’s . economy—which, according to official information, is preventing 913 per cent, of German from reaching German ports—comes from an authoritative source in Jugoslavia. It is learned that Germany is unable to supply textiles of any kind, tin plates, or rubber manufactures. The mortage of rubber Is illustrated by the fact that 188 lorries delivered to the Jugoslavian Army arrived without tyres. In 1937 Germany imported 118,000,000 reichmarks of rubber and now her entire supply is cut off. The buna sub- , stitute covers only about one-fifth of ? the peace-time consumption. The blockade has also cut off one- third of Germany’s iron ore imports. Since German exports of textiles have been cut off the home supplies would be increased by about one-third of the total production, and Germany’s inability now to supply textiles must, be due, therefore, to lack of raw material and sdggests that surplus stocks were limited at the outbreak of the war. The potential supplies: from Russia are relatively inaccessible and Ger-war-time requirements in cotton are equal to about two and a-haif times, the expected maximum Soviet output, for, 1942. Another effect of the blockade ;is probably a Shortage of fish in Germany owing to the fact that the noririal North Sea catch is 300,000 tons per annum against the Baltic Sea catch of 30,000 tons. German unemployment has jumped from 'a few thousands to more than 2,0Q0.000,, according to a neutral observer, partly due to the closing of textile and shoe factories owing to the lack of raw material. A great shortage of petrol is indicated by the order of’ the German Ministry -of Transport for the conversion to the use of gaseous fuels of all commercial vehicles still allowed to operate. SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES FOREIGN LEGION BEING FORMED ; - - •* PRETORIA, Oct. 30. A proclamation enables aliens to join the South African coast garrison or citizen forces. A special unit, styled the Foreign Legion, is also being formed. LATVIA AND GERMANY 'REPATRIATION AGREEMENT RIGA, Oct. 30. Latvia and Germany have signed a treaty- repatriating Latvia’s German minority, who will, it is presumed, be settled in the new Reich territory with other* from the Baltic States. The decision surprised the Germans as much as the Latvians, and-may precipitate a crisis in .this Soviet-pro-tected nation. The. repatriation removes the surviving remnants of the bi« land owners and takes from the cities business peoole and the professional classes. whose influence on Latvia’s economic , life is far greater th°n their numbers indicate. The treatv involves a great, transfer of wealthREJOICING IN VILNA RETURN TO LITHUANIA VILNA. Oct. 30. In the presence of excited crowds singing the national anthem and kissing in the streets, the Lithuanian flag was hoisted over the historic Vilna Castle on Mount Gedyminas.