Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-04-19
MANS- INVASION
The German Steel King. QHlie a
Puzzle.
EXPANSION CAUSES HUGH WORRY
SHINES Follows Big Austrian Coke
And Other Deals With More Big
Adventure.

ana f1uESaIy dSalll S DeiAS o1tSSIeu
to this man who in few years has
become the most important financial
and industrial leader in Germany.
Just what is back OF. StiRnes "ExEan-
sion' remains one of: the most battling
mysteries in Germany. Not only does
he practically control the iron and
steel industries of this country, but he
is: constantly reaching out for new
fields:fto conquer and has encroached
deep into the iron and steel industry
Of Austria, where he plans, with the
aid Of Austrian coke to convert German
and Austrian iron ores into steel.
Less than month,ago SHINES pur-
chased the controlling interest in the
vast Styrian blast furnaces and re-
ports are current that he now pro-
poses to invade the Ttllian field with
the products of his vast furnaces and
mines.
In many quarters here the question
is being asked: what does Shines
intend to do with all this wealth :?
Does he intend to bring back the mon
arehy?' +
These questions remain unanswer
ed, but close observers refer Ito the
fact thnt he has since the armist;ce
become power in German politics,
and while he rarely speaks i'm the
Reichstag, whore: he has o. sent. his
henchmen, 1T is Known do speak for
him, and the power Of his influence
there is by no. means understood
abroad.
Should he move to restore the Eoh-
enzollerns to the throne. it goes with
out saying that there is not single
group in German politics that could
oppose him successfully.
In this connection Shines conncc-
tion with the German peoples party,
which he is financing and his close
friendship with some OF; the stanchiest
supporters to the. kaiser: are being
widely discussed here. 1t was recall
ed that both Marshal Won Hindenb,lrg
and Gen. Ludendorff were present re-
Gently when one of the steamships was
launched. and that this ship was
named after Won Hindenburg. Was
this not 4 partial showingS Of ;;Stinnes'
hand? it was asked.
But these are all questions. They
may reflect some Of the things that
are in the back of SHINES head, but
fho,. of SoHS
That SHINES is greatly interested
in the foreign affairs Of Germany and
in the PREPARATIONS settlement goes
without saying. His stand in opposi-
tion to Dr. Walter Simons, German
foreign ministeB In the conduct OF the
rsrarationS negotiations in London
early this month showed that ne had
not come to the breaking point with
the Entente Powers, although it is
well known that he has no love for
them. His first move in connection
with the untangling of"Germany's debt
to the Allies was not calculated TO
make him take a conspicuous part in
future negotiations, nor did it increase
ms lIEeCllO1l lOF lDe AllleS.
Allied Snub. at Spa Rankles
1t will be recalled that it was at
Spa that SHINES. as member Of the
German delegation, vigorously op-
posed the Allies coal demands, assert
ing that they were impossible of fulfil
ment and that his rough manners and
abruptness, his lack of tact and diplo-
macy got for him Gn Allied snnb
which has rankled deep in his heart,
and which he is not likely. to forget
soon. Therefore. it was that when
the London reparations conference
was held SHINES preferred to remain
at home, although he could have been
member OF the German delegation
there had he cared to go.
No one knows what the SHINES for
tune amounts to. 1t is quite certain
that SHINES himself does rot know
how much he is worth. Before the
war his fortune was estimated at +t.
000 0G0 marks gold (about $4,000. .u0G).
If he lost vast sums during the con-
ilict in the way Of property that was
cnniiscated he recounted these losses II
hundred fold. indeed. II is certain
that he was the gr"a!cst OF the war
profiteers Of all countries.
Fie made millions Of marks gold
out Of his exports OF coal 10 neutral
countries and ut home he piled up his
wealth in manifold ways. Frequently
he made trips TO the German great
headquarters where he was always
welcomed and he was quick to see op-
portunitieS in the occupied regions Of
Belgium and France and he took ad-
vantage OF them. IN advantage which
was made easy for him by his close
friendship with the Geman military
leaders. II was during the war that he
made the bulk of his fortune.
. Aside from his steel, iron and coal
interests SHINES owns about hum
dred newspapers. Indeed, there is
scarcely 4 branch Of German indus
trial or commercial lie in which he
is not interested. He owns one, OF the
finest hotels in Berlin. 4 fleet OF thir-
teen vessels carries his coal, iron,
steel and grain into the Nlediterra-