GERMAN PENETRATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 195, 13 May 1919, Page 6

GERMAN PENETRATION

<>._ _ RUSSIA ALIVE WTTH CONCESSION HUNTERS. London, March 9. The "Exchange" correspondent at Stockholm writes:— Bolshevist newspapers relate that Gorman agents mul business men are showing considerable activity in Russia, and nre attempting to carry on business under conditions which most other foreigners have been nimble to face. The newspaper "Sievernaya Kommuna" declares that in the northern commune President Zinovieff has been "pestered by active Germans who' want forestry anil mining concessions in Kostroma and Olonetz, in exchange for which the Germans would accept a modest 5 per cent, profit so long as Germany is allowed to buy the minerals and timber for homo use at World-market prices, and the Soviet socialisation principle would be fully recognised."

"Biednota" states that when the Bolshovilci captured Khralcoff from' the Ukrainian Army, "a whole conclave of active Germans vns discovered armed with maps and. estimates, and busily engaged mappiii" out South Russia fn'r pxnloitation. The German merchants, Haussner, J'Vldmann, and several others stayed in th» town and helped the Soviet authorities to- organise factories at Sumy and VorWhba. They applied boldly for prospecting permits and travel permits to enable them to go to the Urals, which are just now overrun by German prospectors." The "Biednota" adds that there are still J7OO G'ermoii citizens in Moscow province who are. carrying on flourishing businesses. They are able to do this owing to the services which they vendor in 'advisini? the , local Soviets, which Wily stand in need of technicl .advice." "T];n Oprmaps." conclude s "Biclenta," "are thus gaining again the nrivilesred p-Ml-ion-M-ov IH'l ""fit- Ts:i"mm. This will be fatal to Soviet'ideas. !'iv ('-ore is no more tlivnu"h bourgeois than the German bourgeois." •