U.S. Seeks to Limit Removal of German Industrial Plants

Grey River Argus, 3 September 1948, Page 5

U.S. Seeks to Limit Removal of German Industrial Plants

FRENCH DOUBTS OF THE MOTIVE (Rec. 10.0)-. WASHINGTON, Sept. 1. The question of further dismantling and removing of industrial plants from Germany as war reparations is being discussed with Britain and France, so General Marshall said to-day. He said that these discussions were begun at the request of Mr Paul Hoffman, the U.S. Economic Co-operation Administrator. The aim is to determine which, if any, remaining German plants that were ear-marked for removal should be left there to assist in the German recovery programme. The U.S.A. European Recovery Act directs that the United States shall seek agreements with the other Governments to leave such plants in Germany if they can be used in rebuilding the economy there. Authoritative sources claim that the United States has alragdy decided that the further dismantling and shipping of what remains of nine hundred and sixteen plants that were ear-marked for reparations last October shall be curtailed. - The French Government is reported to be particularly concerned at the United States’ mave, because the French still believe that there is a surplus of industrial plants in Germany that could be used more productively elsewhere, and that the retention of these plants in Germany would support the charges that the United States is attemuting to revive Germany’s industrial might.