SCIENTIFICALLY PLUNDERED

Evening Star, Issue 23700, 7 October 1940, Page 3

SCIENTIFICALLY PLUNDERED

FATE OF OCCUPIED COUNTRIES CHARACTERISTIC NAZI THOROUGHNESS LONDON, October 5. The ‘ Financial News ’ to-day devotes an editorial to the methods and extent of Nazi plunder in occupied territ-eries, which, it says, have been known ?or some time in the case or Poland- and Czecho-Slovakia but were, until recently, less obvious in respect of Northern and Western Europe. The populations of these later victims, however, were now awake. “ They have known that though there was no looting in the literal sense, the article states, “their countries were being plundered by the invaders much more thoroughly than in the days when the plunder of victorious armies was the due reward, for looting is now organised with a scientific thoroughness characteristic of the Nazi regime. Devaluation of the currencies ot the defeated nations was one of the obvious methods of exploitation. By this method, German purchases, stimulated by a favourable reichmark rate, were a dead loss to countries concerned, which were deprived of their goods and received in exchange claims on the Reich which would be cancelled in due course. The Germans got tho goods while the conquered nations were left with inflated currencies and depleted commodity stocks. Tho ‘ Financial News adds: ft might be argued that after all a country can only be plundered once. That, ‘however, is precisely where tho superiority of Hitler’s methods over those of Ghengis Khan is most apparent. The German conquerors are proceeding to organise production in the conquered countries for their own benefit; they make full use of the factories which they need and dismantle others, so that they can use their equipment elsewhere. They exploit the labour resources of the conquered countries by forcing _ unemployed masses to accept work in Germany, and the terms of their employment are most unfavourable—but the conquered cannot expect, of course, to enjoy the same standard of living as the ruling race. The production of goods needed by Germany is stimulated by the selfsame inflation which accompanied tho acquisition of pre-war supplies of the woods df the conquered countries by Germany. Production is stimulated by the artificial depreciation of the national currencies. Once the goods are available, the occupation authorities have the first call-on them, and the native population must be satisfied with whatever is left over.” “ This process,” the article “ may continue for a long time unless producers in the conquered countries, realising its implications, refuse to lend themselves to it. In their own interests they should curtail production and conceal their stocks as far as possible. This is already being done on an extensive scale in Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. Other victims of the Nazi aggression ought to follow their example before the process of their exploitation is carried much further. Fortunately, there are signs that a realisation of the true nature of the Nazi rule is evoking an increasing tendency to passive resistance. By such means in their present evil hour, the conquered peoples can contribute towards their salvation.” BRITISH DYESTUFFS BIG INCREASE IN PRODUCTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 5. Month by mouth the production of British dyestuffs has been increasing, and it is now approaching 125,000 tons, which is about one-half of the world’s supply. Industrial undertakings which hitherto depended upon Germany, France and _ Italy for tneir supplies are progressively increasing their purchases from Britain. In wartime, the actual figures cannot be given, but the increase is officially stated to be “ very substantial indeed.” In 1914, Britain produced only about one-tenth of the dyes she used, but last year she made four-fifths, or £6,000,000 worth, of her needs for the home market. Germany, France, and Italy recently produced between them 39.55 per cent, of the world output, which is estimated at 260,000 tons, the United Kingdom’s share being 11 per cent. From these figures, it is possible to judge the effort which the British dyestuffs manufacturers are now making in the export market.

WAR WEAPONS WEEK

AUSPICIOUS OPENING LONDON, October 6. Nearly £640,000 was promised within half an hour of the launching of Cardiff’s War Weapons Week on Friday. Lord Mayor Alderman Henry Johns expressed dissatisfaction at the city’s aim being only £1,000,000. “It should have been £2.000,000,” be said. “ For the honour and credit of Cardiff, as a leader in Wales and the bordering countries in England, we must immediately declare in favour of £2,000,000.”