GERMANY AND INDEMNITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12483, 23 November 1918, Page 2

GERMANY AND INDEMNITY.

• 4 HER NATURAL WEALTH. Germany’s ability to pay a war indemnity is discussed by “ Politicus ” in tho “ Fortnightly Review" for June. He takes a view in opposition to tho school which, before the war, declared that the financial position of Germany was very ■unfavourable owing to her complicated commercial and political system. The war and the part which Germany took in financing herself and “her impecunious allies” should satisfy everyone that she is a very wealthy country. The explanation of her wealth is to be found in her great and exceedingly valuable natural resources. Germany possesses (1) By far the greatest mineral resources in Europe, especially coal, potash and iron ore. (2) A geographical configuration most favourable to the development of agriculture and industry. (3) An unrivalled system of natural waterways which opens up the country in ji.ll directions.

(4) An invaluable strategical position in the centre .of the Continent, which is as helpful for commercial conquest as for military aggression. The coal resources of Europe are distributed amongst the principal countries in tho following order:—

Tons. Germany . <23.855,000,000 United Kingdom . 183,533,000,000 Russia . . . 60,106,000,000 Austria . . 59,289,000,000 Prance . , . 17,563,000,000

Germany has more than half the European total of 784.192,000,000 tons of coal. In iron she is also richly endowed. The reserves of metallic iron disclosed to the International Geological Congress at Stockholm in 1910 for principal European countries were: Tone. Germany . . . 1,270,000,000 Prance . , 1,140.000,000 Sweden . , . 740,009,000 United Kingdom . 455,000,000 Russia .... 387,000,000 Spain . . . . 343,000,000

Of the iron ore used in Germany in 1910 about 75 per cent came from' Germany, and 25 per cent was imported from abroad. Of Germany's domestic iron ore 80 per cent came from the Lor-raine-Luxemberg district, and only 20 per cent from all the other German districts combined. Her wealth in three mineral* is stimmarised as follows: 423.356.000. tong coal, at IQs £211,678,000,000 4.000. tons iron oro, at 5a .... £1,000,000,000 56.000. tong potaeh, at 10s .... £23,000,000,000 £237,678,000,000 These figures indicate that Germany’s natural riches are far greater than is believed by those who tell us that Germany’s wealth comes to only £15,000,000,000, that the country will be ruined if defeated, and that she cannot pay a war indemnity.