GERMANYS POWER TO PURCHASE

Southland Times, Issue 23923, 15 September 1939, Page 8

GERMANYS POWER TO PURCHASE

COMPARISON WITH 1914 FINANCIAL POSITION THEN VASTLY SUPERIOR

(British . Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 13.

To the neutral European States, especially the south-eastern States, Germany is holding out bright trade prospects based on the assumption that the conquest of Poland will soon be achieved. It is claimed that then German coal production will increase by one-quarter, steel by more than 2,000,000 tons and zinc by 100,000 tons. These claims have given rise in the British Press to a comparison between Germany’s economic position in 1914 and her position today, even if such claims are correct.

The correspondent of The Times points out that Germany in 1914 possessed not only those very parts of Poland now seized, but also the remainder of that country, together with raw material and foodstuffs. He also points out the vastly superior credit and financial position of Germany in 1914.

“Today with her credit exhausted, negligible gold reserves and with, an acute shortage of foreign exchange, it is clear that the Nazis will not be able to buy as Imperial Germany could almost until the end of the last war,” he says. Bulgarian exports to Germany which have been held up because of lack of rolling stock, have been resumed as the result of Germany supplying wagons, states a message from Sofia. A daily total of .260 wagon loads of foodstuffs are en route to Germany through Yugoslavia.

GERMANY ANNOUNCES CONTRABAND LIST FOODSTUFFS INCLUDED (Received September 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 13. The German radio station announced a contraband list embracing all war materials, foodstuffs, fodder, gold, silver and textiles which can be used for military purposes. DUTCH STEAMER IN CUSTODY CARGO SUSPECTED OF BEING CONTRABAND (Received September 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 14. A communique issued by the Ministry of Information states that the Dutch steamer Groenlo was taken into custody at a United Kingdom port. It says that she was detained because she was carrying cargo suspected of being contraband consigned to Dusseldorf. The communique adds that the cargo is beng unloaded after which the ship will be released. PORTUGUAL TO REMAIN NEUTRAL (Received September 14, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 14. The Ministry of Information states that Portugal has decided to remain neutral. GERMAN APPEAL FOR PROFESSIONAL MEN ANTWERP, September 13. Notices have been posted at the German Consulate inviting doctors, enginers and technicians “of German nationality and regardless of race” to return immediately to the Reich. Complete repatriation on their return is promised and the return of confiscated fortunes is also promised. So far no Jews have accepted. BRASS BAND CONTEST TO BE HELD (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 14. It is announced that the Centennial brass band contest fixed for Wellington in February is to take place on the due dates as arranged. The decision is in compliance with the request of the Government that all Centennial celebrations shall take place as orginally intended. ~