CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1939, Page 5

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

DETAILS OF NAZI FORTUNES

ABROAD GIVEN BY AMERICAN UORRtSFONOENT. REPLY TO DR GOEBBELS. By Telegraph—P—«s Association—Copyright PARIS, September 28. The “Paris-Soir” has published a signed article by the American correspondent, Mr 11. R. Knickerbocker, who wrote the original articles concerning Nazi leaders’ I'ortviiip.s, taking up Dr Goebbels’s challenge to produce evidence ol' the fortunes held abroad.

Mr Knickerbocker states that three agents helped Dr Goebbels place capital abroad, namely:

Wilhelm Achterberg' who travelled to Montevideo on behalf of the firm of Eherverlag, the publishers of “Mein Kampf,” and deposited 1,850,000 dollars on behalf of Dr . Goebbels in the safes of a German importing firm in Buenos Aires.

Thomas Bucher, a member of the executive of the Ministry of Propaganda, who, helped by the Kreisbank Aktien Company, deposited on behalf of Dr Goebbels in Luxemburg bearer shares to the value of 2,480,000 belgas. Paul von BoddCheim, a banking agent, who deposited on behalf of Dr Goebbels with the Osaka branch of the Nippon Ginko Bank bills and currency to a value of £465,000 sterling. HEAVY LIFE INSURANCE. Dr Goebbels’ life insurances are, on his own life, 330,000 dollars, 2,350,000 Netherlands florins and 1,235 belgas

and on his wife’s life, 670,000 Swiss francs, 4,500,000 Reichsmarks,' and £89,000 sterling. Herr von Ribbentrop’s agents, Rober Eylau, a rich wine producer, Hans Grosse, wine importer, and Henrich Marbou, Ribbentrop’s confidential friend, placed 165,000 dollars to Ribbentrop’s credit in the Arsterdamsche Bank in Haarlem, the Hollandische Buitenland Bank in The Hague and the Banca Swizzera in Italian Zurich, Ribbentrop is the only Nazi leader who has taken out insurances in French francs. Perhaps this is significant, as he has always held out to HenHitler that a separate peace with France is possible. Flis own life is in sured for 3,000,000 French francs, 1760 belgas, 2,800,000 Netherlands florins, and 8900 Reichsmarks. His wife’s life is insured for 520,000 dollars, 3,500,000 lire, and £30,000 sterling. MARSHAL GOERING'S AGENTS. Field-Marshal Goering’s agents are all named and also the banks. He has 1,225,00 dollars in safe deposit in Sao Paulo, and American bonds in New York aggregating 750,000 dollars, with 1,000,000 dollars in Malmo, Trieste, and in addition millions of dollars in life insurance. The transactions of the deputy Nazi leader, Herr Hess, are also detailed, including 475,000 dollars in Sao Paulo, over £200,000 sterling's worth of Swiss and Netherlands bonds, and life insurances in foreign currencies amounting to over £125,000 sterling. Dr Ley is out of luck, as his agents have been executed or placed in concentration camps. The Gestapo chief, Herr Himmler, placed 2,000,000 dollars in South America, the Near East, and Finland. Mr Knickerbocker concludes that he is glad to publish these details at Dr Goebbels’s request. OUT OF FAVOUR? GOEBBELS SAID TO BE MAKING QUIET EXIT. PARIS, September 27. Reports from Berlin appear to confirm that Dr Goebbels is in disgrace. It is believed to be because of a quarrel with Marshal Goering. An Independent cable message from Paris says it is reported from Zurich that Dr Goebbels is definitely out of favour and will make his exit quietly. He is to be succeeded by Dr Weiner, a close collaborator of Marshal Goering. Thus Marshal Goering will be able to bring the Propaganda Ministry under his own control. BRITISH INQUIRIES REPORTS TO BE TESTED. AND FACTS PLACED BEFORE GERMAN PEOPLE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 9.5 a.m.) RUGBY, September 28. Close inquiries are being made on behalf of the British Government to test the accuracy of American press

reports that large fortunes have been placed abroad by certain Nazi leaders and in the House of Commons yesterday the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information stated that steps were being taken to see that these reports and the implications of the action of Nazi leaders are brought to the notice of the German people.