The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-05
BEHIND The
TICKER
NEW yoRK-Tt's q long way I,

modify markets to Fritz Thyxsen.
But actually the proximity is more
real than it appears.
Fritz Thyssen was the first big
German industrialist to Jump on
the Hitler band-wagon. That made
him Number Maxi industrialist.
But now he's out of Germany. It's
important 10 note he is a voluntary
fugitiye-said 50 In an open state
ment.
Internationalists ask: Why did
Thyssen make a public statement
Why did he proclaim he isn't in
accord with the Nazi government
and that he is emphatically against
Germany's present leader. Hitler?
Obviously he didn't make the state
ment merely for public consump-
ton. There's a motive.
Bankers and industrialists say
Thyssen senses a growing German
opposition TO the Hitler regime.
and that he recognizes the sowing
of seeds of revolution. The feeling
Is that he gave notice OF being in
favor of such movement, and that
he will identify himself with revo-
lutionists when the proper time
arrives.
The fact that Fritz Thyssen
publicly recognizes n possible
revolution spells out that oppo-
sltion to Hitler Is even greater
than many believe. It's an In
dicatiOn Of an end Of the war.
Herr Thyssen isn't the only man
who thinks along those lines. Otto
Strasser, at one time very close to
Hitler, says Hitler's friends are
forming a ring of iron around him
with the purpose of causing the
leader to disappear. That develops
another thought.
It's to be noted that Prime Min
lister Chamberlain has been con-
stantly saying that the Anglo
French combination is not at war
with the German people. but rather
with the Nazi bullying philosophy.
Herr Strasser's statement indicates
that Hitler's followers want to save
their necks, and are taking steps
for a peace move.
Private banking advices from
London, Paris and Amsterdam are
that it will soon be publicly known
that Herr Schmitt, a Swedish in
dustrialist who enjoys the conf
dence of German industrialists, has
peace offer to discuss with the
British and French governments.
Nazi officials know about il.
And it's not to be overlooked
that President Roosevelt said on
Thanksgiving day-Nov. 23-that
he hoped the war would be over by
next spring. That remark was not
casual - say informed New York
bankers. There's proof that French
and British government and indus
trial officials are of the same
opinion.
To many, the war may be a
phoney. But with the above knowl-
edge, it's easy to understand why
the Allies do not attack the west
wall, why they don't venture bomb
ing raids on German naval and air
bases, and why they are playing
cautiously. The French and British
economic and propaganda war is
being carried on to win over, not
to antagonize, the German people.
Hard-hitting military aggression
would solidify Germany on the de-
fensive behind Hitler.
That the Anglo-French combina-
ton anticipates peace can be seen
in the negligible amount of war
orders placed in this country. Even
Canada reports that her British
exports over the past two months
have declined while those to the
United States have practically
doubled.
Thus far the only British war
supplies purchased in this country
are airplanes and munitions. Ar
thur B. Purvis, director general of
the British purchasing commission
In the United States, told your cor
respondent that there's no rush to
make purchases. He forecast that
II the war continued there would
be buying of motor trucks, food
stuffs, textiles and supplies other
than airplanes and munitions.
The French government has
made purchases of other than air
plane and munition supplies, but
only after keen bargaining. Here's
how it's done: An American plant
gets a trial order for $4,000 and
goes to the expense of filling it in
the hope of additional bookings.
But then the French say another
outfit got the business at a reduced
price. Results? The first firm cuts
its margin Of profits to book the
order.
Further indication of possible
peace by spring" is the fact that
British and French manufacturers
are covering plant expansion costs
with Lloyds of London, worlds
greatest insurance syndicate. Note
the rates: 10 to l the war will not
end within 80 days; 10 to against
peace within 90 days; but 10 to
on peace within 80 days.
peace by spring" Is catch
Ing hold. The thought il upper
most In the minds of financial,
Industrial and political leaders.
Great Britain Is spending only
S250.O00. 900 per day on war
needs. IL peace weren't within
the realm of probability, the
cost would be five times that
per day.
Moreover, there would be larger
amounts Of British and French
liquidation Of American securities.
And Sir John Simon, chancellor