The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-01
GERMAN GOLD HOARD.
LONDON AUTHORITY SAYS MET
Al WEALTH GROWS DE-
, SPITE WARS COST.
KaIsrr q Mailman but Well Served
Farsecing Germans Anxious, Hut
Leaders Won't Halt.

LILY ~ US great NOW, III not ereater, |
than at this time a year ago. despite
the enormous expenditures of that
country all over the world on propa-
Eanda. espionage and kindred war ad-
juncts. according to the London Sta
tist. which. in reviewing international
banking. devotes several columns to
German affairs. AT the close of the
last year the Imperial Bank OF Ger
many held ss30.12O.O 900 I'm gold.
The review states that the Kaiser
10 madman, but he has collected
men about him ruch as madmen de-
si-s. and that the governing clique in
Germany still believe they will come
out Of the war without being ruined
and will have use for their gold hoard.
With the defeat Of the Teutonic AL
; lies a great proportion. IL not all of
this. would be eaten up by indemni-
ties. The statist says in part:
TO begin with. when Germany
adopted the single gold standard and
demonetized silver she exerted her
seif very actively to obtain a large
. amount Of. gold. Subsequently her
government did everything which its
knowledge suggested to promote the
trade and manufactures OF Germany,
ana. as n matter of fact. no country
In the world Increased in wealth
more rapidly and more surprisingly
than Germany.
she pushed her trade In every di-
rection. The late Mr.. Chamberlain
spent many Of his last years trying to
persuade the people OF this country
that Germany was. In fact. taking
away our trade from US. and therefore
nobody who has paid proper attention
TO what has been going on In Europe
during the last half century can Sc
r,ousiy entertain a doubt that Ger
many. when the war broke out, pos
ssssed an extremely large quantity of
gold.
The instant Germany resolved up
on war she suspended specie pay
ments from that day to this, conse-
ausntiy,. nobody. without the permis-
aon of the government. has been al
lowed TO take a single mark I'm gold
oat Of the country. In addition to
that. the government. once war was
declared. used every means I'm it's
poer TO induce Its subjects to part with
their gold and hand IL to itself.
Furthermore. IL Is to be recollected
that there have been large number |
OF wealthy neutral powers which have |
traded until recently with Germany.
and that from these Germany has
been able to obtain some gold. at all
events.
Lastly, Il is to be recollected that
In three and a quarter years Ger
many has overrun, and still retains,
the wealthiest parts OF France. Bel
ginm, Serbia. the whole of Poland and |
large part OF Rumania. while she
has made raids into other countries,
AS Tor example. Persia.
Everybody who has followed the
details OF the war Is aware that Ger
many has lived upon the countries
which she has for the time being oc-
cupied. and that among other things
she constantly ievies contributions
which have to be paid In gold.
Therefore we would ask any ordi-
nary man with a little knowledge OF
the. world: Does ne see any reason
able grounds for doubling that Ger
many. acting as the mistress and |
plunderer or such extensive territories. |
has not collected a very large amount
OF the. metal?
ITO wind up we would ask those |
who may still be incredulous: III Ger
mqry is not rich in gold how do they
account for the fact that Germany
has been during three and q quarter
years. and In today. briblng influential
people In every country in the world.
whether hostile or not that she h
spending money as II II were dirt. and
that there are large factions, even In |
countries that are hostile. that would |
willingly make terms with Germany
u they could?
IF Germany really believed that
she would be defeated In this war and |
therefore that II was no use for her
to keep any gold do you seriously
think the German government and
all It's advisers OF every kind are so
absolutely mad that they forced on
the war without INV provocation or