Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-03

decade the Saar has obtained more
than 80 per cent of its foodstuffs from
Alsace and Lorraine. Prices have
been falling rapidly in France while
they have been mounting in Germany.
AS free zone" there has been prac-
tically no duty on foreign commodities
in the Saargebiet. Popular brands Of
American cigarettes sold for 3 francs
in the Saar, $50 francs in France
and the equivalent of 80 francs in
Germany.
Unemployment Big Threat.
The specter of unemployment also
looms large on the horizon. Before
the depression unemployment was
practically unknown, there being but
5000 to 1000 out of work on monthly
average lin 1928 the number was
3,87D. In 1888, the high peak Of the
depression, the average unemployed
monthly was 38,749. At the time Of
the plebiscite this figure had fallen
to 1884 Today it is increasing by
leaps and bounds. Labor leaders say
it will reach 10000 within the year.
The Saar's coal market in France
is partially guaranteed for a period
of five years. The mines repurchase
agreement with Germany specifies
that the French will receive 100000
tons of Saar coal annually for that
space of time. Last year, however,
France took twice that tonnage Forty
per cent Of the output Of the Saar
mines has gone into France, 40 per
cent has been consumed in the Saar
itself and 20 per cent has gone to
other countries, including Germany,
which takes per cent.
In competition with higher grade
Of Ruhr and Rhineland coal for the
German domestic market the Saar
coal will have little chance of ex-
banding its sales. The French are
determined to exploit the coal mines
of Northern France rather than con-
tinue using the Saar product, even
though 1t is more accessible.
The situation of the Saar foundries
also is embarrassing. Heretofore they
have obtained So per cent Of their
iron ore from Lorraine. The French,
embarking upon a policy of conserva-
ton Of natural resources (there Is
73-year supply left in the Lorraine
helds) are not anxious to continue
supplying the Saar blast furnaces,
especially since they have fallen under
German domination. There are $1,000
men employed in the iron and steel
| industry in the Saar Basin. AS pre-
plebiscite sop" German cities prom
iSed orders for cast-iron pipes to-
falling several million marks as conn
| penSation" for sales lost in France.
The orders are mere drop in the
bucket. In the past 34.4 per cent
of the Saar's iron and steel products
have gone to France, as compared
with "A per cent in pre-war days.
Other goods - ceramics, chemicals,
pottery, glassware ETC., also will lose
a valuable market.
French Trade Hope.
The one hope of the Saar lies in
regional" trade agreement with
France for the transitional period. The
Saar needs French foodstuffs, particu-
larly now with the shortage in Ger
many. 1t also needs Lorraine iron
ore. To certain extent the French
need Saar soal, but what they need
still more is the general market, which
last year took about 1900, 900 900
| francs worth of French foodstuffs and
commodities. The Saar has been
Frances fifth largest customer.
The gold old days of personal lib
erty, freedom of the press, conscience
and aSsemblage and association in the
Saar have definitely gone. The Saar
/ press has been Nazi-ized. The opposi-
ton newspapers, the Socialist Fret.
heit, the Communist Arbeiterzeitung,
the Catholic Neue Saarpost and the
Workers VolkStimme are no more.
The ban against German-language
newspapers published in Switzerland,
Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia and Aus
tria applies in the Saar the same as
in Germany. Political parties have
been outlawed and Catholic Youth
associations, workers athletic clubs,
etc, have been dissolved. Their mem
bers have been invited" to Join the
Hitler Jugend, the S. A, the NaN
Workers Front and similar National
Socialist organizations. generation
of Saar youths, who never knew the
goose step or compulsory military
training. now are manouvering in
squad formation all over the region,
under the eyes of hard-boiled S. A.
''fuhrers"
That the Saar will become the
bridge of friendship" which its in
habitants and SO many others hoped,
between France and Germany, is now
doubtful Berlin started out we'll
dealing moderately with the Saar.
| landers. But with the arrival of sew
eral thousands of young Saar youths.
| fresh from II to Is months training"
in the German Workers camps and
the Na1 S. S. and S. A. formations,
bent upon educating" their compa-
triots, it appears that a rough time Is
ahead for the territory.
France Skeptical.
The Nazi declarations, constantly
reiterated, that all Germany wants is
peace with France-peace at Ger
many's price-are becoming a bit
threadbare. The French smile quiz
ideally every time Goebbels. Goering,
Hesse or Hitler repeat the refrain.
Then they look beyond at Germany's
constantly increasing ornaments es-
ablishment-and shrug a national
shoulder.
For more than year now the forts
at Metz. Strassbeurg. Vanguard the
concrete and steel defense line which
stretches from Switzerland to Luxem-
bourg-have been fully manned.
French poilus along the eastern front
are usually in service uniforms and
on the alert. Not that France expects
war, but the general staff believes in
being prepared.
While the Saar Is "out Of the pic
ture" foreign correspondents are not
overlooking it completely. Naz in
tolerance is still good story and there
is no reason to believe that Na1
principles have changed. II the cur
tain of secrecy is tightly drawn over
developments in the Saar it will be
because Berlin does not want to invite
hostile foreign press. The church
struggle, soft-pedaled during the pleb-
iscite campaign and the Christmas