Evening star., 1939-10-10
Expert Minimizes
Soviet Economic
Aid for Reich
Transportation Also
Viewed as q Major
Problem
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.

Doubt that Russia will be able to
give Germany much economic aid
at this time, despite the trade pact
between the two countries and the
commercial mission which the Reich
has just sent to Moscow, was ex-
pressed here yesterday afternoon by
an expert in international trade.
This authoritative source, who
preferred not to be quoted by name,
pointed out numerous difficulties in
the way Of the swift exchange of
Soviet raw materials for NaZi fln-
ished products contemplated in the
trade agreement which the govern
ments negotiated in August, since
made more vital by the war.
Russia has surplus of manganese,
lumber and possibly asbestos, he
explained, and Germany needs these
materials, as we'll as the grains,
fruits and other foodstuffs which she
formerly imported in large quanti-
ties from her northern neighbor, but
there are practical barriers in the
way of carrying out these plans on
. large scale.
Russia Needs Supplies.
For one thing, the Soviet Govern
ment has a large army mobilized
part of it in Poland, the rest held
In reserve against eventualities, and
Russia will need heavy supplies and
ample transportation to keep these
troops in the field indefinitely. On
the other hand, the huge NaZi Army,
strung across wide area on the
western front and in Poland, claims
first attention from the government.
and much of Germany's industrial
output must 60 for munitions and
other military supplies so long as
there Is war.
Transportation this trade author
ity also saw as major problem.
Noting that Germany's economic
mission to Moscow includes railway
men, he pointed out that neither
country is in a position to give the
other much help in improving rail
syntems or increasing their rolling
stocks.
The U. S. S. r. has been buying
locomotives and other equipment in
the United States recently. Russian
and German rails are of different
gauge-a measure which the Soviet
Government originally took to pro-
tect itself against Germany. The
Reich, on the other hand, appar-
emily hasn't any railroad equipment
to spare, but is itself in serious
S11irhf 10 ocly Nf tn f~o
portation.
The Department of Commerce re-
ported last April:
German penetration of the Latin
American market for railway equip
ment may be seriously curtailed by
the shortage of rolling stock in the
Reich itself. The transporta-
ton crisis which has developed in
Germany since last autumn has re-
vealed the inadequacy of the present
rolling stock of the Reichsbahn Co.,
owner of all German railways. The
current shortage is estimated at 90,-
900 freight cars, in addition to much
needed engines and passenger car
equipment"
Equipment Shortage Acute.
It was recalled that Germany, a
few years ago, was spending 1,5O0,-
600 900 marks annually on rail equip
ment and upkeep, but this was
reduced by one-half during the
depression. BY last spring the
shortage of equipment was so acute
that the Reischbahn ordered $50
billions spent on rolling stock in the
next four years. But the war is be-
Geved to have wreaked havoc with
this program.
Most of the imports from Russia
would have to go through Poland,
1t was pointed out, and, in country
that had bad roads and inadequate
rail facilities at best, most of
the avenues of transportation prob
ably are disrupted, many of them
wrecked, by the recent warfare.
Some products, particularly lum-