SCIENTIFIC LOOTING

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21204, 29 August 1940, Page 7

SCIENTIFIC LOOTING

GERMANS AND SUPPLIES CONDITIONS ON CONTINENT NAZI METHODS ANALYSED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 27 The methods by which the Nazis are hypothecating to their own purposes the resources of countries which have come under their domination were carefully analysed at the week-end in an article in the Economist under the title of “Scientific Looting.” “The exploitation of countries in a state of political or economic dependence upon Germany began long before the war,” the writer states. “They were tricked and bullied into' doing more and more trade with Germany on less and less satisfactory terms, but, because it was theoretically possible for them to trade with other countries, there was a limit beyond which Germany could not exploit them.

“No such limit exists in the countries now under German control. There is no need for Germany to send them even aspirins or mouth-organs in exchange for their goods.

“Germany has a huge surplus of imports in her trade with all the occupied countries. Practically the whole of German export trade with them is in goods needed either by the armies of occupation or by factories engaged in contracts for the German armed forces. Inflation of Currencies “This does not mean that the owners of goods requisitioned or bought by the Germans are not paid for them. The Germans are too clever to resort to a crude form of looting except in the more remote countries, such as Poland. They pay for everything and pay generously with the conquered nation’s own money. “Germany, in addition to inflating her own currency, is in a position to inflate the currencies of other nations.”

Describing the various methods of payment adopted, the writer says that in each case Germany obtains something for nothing. Sooner or later the victims will realise that they are unable to spend the money they have received from Germany.