Evening star., 1940-08-25
Nazi Bid 70 Supply
Goods Is Seen in Plans
For Leipzig Fair
Synthetic Materials
Scheduled to Be Given
Importont Place
By OLIVER MCKEE.

Though the war mas torced tne
cancellation or postponement OF
several international exhibitions,
Germany will hold at Leipzig this
week its usual fall fair. Because OF
the Nazi plans to dominate Europe
economically, the fair this year has
particular significance. Through the
Leipzig exhibition the German gov
eminent is believed to seek to i'm
press on the outside world two
things. First, that despite the war
German factories are continuing to
turn out large quantities Of con-
sumption goods. Second, that Ger
many can supply European nations
with the merchandise they require,
thus demonstrating that the Brit
ish blockade of the Continent need
cause no concern.
In all, 21 countries will partici-
pate in the Leipzig fair, and II Of
these have arranged collective ex-
hibits, the German Embassy an
rlounced last week. Collective eY-
hibits have been prepared by the
protectorate of Bohemia and Mo-
ravia, Bulgaria, Finland. Denmark,
Greece, Italy. Iran. Yugoslavia,
Luxembourg. the Netherlands, Nor
way, Rumania, Switzerland, Slova-
kia, Hungary and Russia. The So
Wet Union was not represented at
this springs fair. In June Acting
Commissar for Foreign Trade Krut-
ikow visited Leipzig and announced
that his government would be rep
resented at the fall fair.
Synthetics to Be Shown.
Germany will place on display a
wide variety of leather goods and
the exhibit will include, in the words
of the German Embassy, high
quality export products" Particu-
lar attention will be given to the
display of new synthetic materials.
One of these is "alkor," material
used in the manufacture Of suit
cases, airplane luggage. brief cases
and small leather goods. Other
synthetic materials include 'kalbun, y
used in place of calf leather: "elas-
tophan," employed in making bath
ing bags and soap containers, and
'mipolan," used for bags. Belts
made of fish leather will also be
exhibited.
Before the war American manu-
facturers on several occasions we're
represented at Leipzig. There will
be no American exhibits this year.
The American Consul in that city
will later send to Washington a re-
port on the fair and the attendance,
with an account of the leading
exhibits. The Leipzig Fair continues
to maintain an Office in New York
City.
Exports to Germany Vanish.
For the 10-month period ending
In June, 1888, United States exports
to Germany were valued at $145,-
100000. For the same period end
ing June, 1899, this country exported
goods to Germany valued at S103,-
100000. With the outbreak of the
war last September. our exports to
the Reich declined precipitately.
For the 10 months ending June.
1910, these exports had a value of
$540,000. In May, according to
Commerce Department figures. the
United States exported only $4,000
worth of goods to Germany and
no exports to Germany were listed
In the June figures.
Before the closing of the Medi-
terranean to American ships and
the extension of the British block
ade to cover the entire continent
of Europe. some American goods are
believed to have reached Germany
through Italy, Spain, Portugal and
several other countries There are
no official figures on the volume of
shipments reaching Germany in
this way.
In recent months, according to
reports reaching Washington, the
German government has devoted
particular attention to creating a
national reserve" of copper. tin
and nickel for which Germany has
been largely dependent on overseas
imports. This reserve is being built
up through the requisitioning of
church bells, the withdrawal of cop
per and bronze coins and the VOL
untary surrender of household and
nther articles made of fheee r,oto1e