The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-10-14

AualrS, 0early came LO UAOWS AA VAA' footed Dutch art.
 "When the Dutch Army sur- rendered." Stoppelman said, "occu- patton authorities closed the east front to thousands of German mer- chants intent on grabbing anything valuable. This was not so safeguard Netherlands property, but to re- serve the valuable booty for 8 picked few in the Na1 hierachy." As an exmaple of German loot ing, Stoppelman cited the case of the world famous art dealer Goud- stikksr, who died during an attempt to escape. The Germans imme- diately appointed a member of the NaA instituted "Treuhand AG." Crust company of The Hague to take over the dead mans art col- lection. Before he could act Nazi leaders started action in their own behalf.
 Goering stepped in, appointing Alloys Miedel, an old school friend, who took over the entire collection, ''to carry on theb usineSS." He ap- pointed agents to buy valuable Dutch paintings at any price. pro- vided the old German expert Fried lander certified their authenticity. Even Copies Certified
 strangely enough" Stoppelman said, 'Friedlander certified all pie lures submitted to, him, including known copies. When Miedel asso- ciate objected to the wholesale certi cation he promptly was sent tot a concentration camp for in- sulting Hitler"
 This constant stream of pictures was sold in turn to German nu- seums and private galleries flor the account of Hermann Goering."
 When Miedel tried to buy the en- tire collection of Daniel Wolf, Am- sterdam banker, he found that Treuhand A. G. had arrived first. They had appropriated all of Wolf's pictures in the intereStof Walther Funk, Nad minister of economic affairs.
 A violent dispute enSued with Funk and Goering racing to Ann sterdam to uphold claims. mainly because beautiful Jan Steen and two Ruysdaels were among the pic lures. Each canvas was valued al more than $50,O0O.
 Himmler Steps In
 Funk and Goerng fought ovel this difference in opinion" but Goering won. When he came tc collect his booty the Jan Steen wal missing.
 While they were busy squabbling Ia German named Tietje hat wheedled the old master from tho wife of Daniel Wolf in return for permit to leave Holland. It latel developed that the Jan Steen hac fallen into the hands of another great Nazi "lover of the good ar1t beautiful. Heinrich Himmler, heac lof the GaStapo.
 Among the paintings thus faller into German hands are: Pieter d Hooeh's "Departure from the Farm, which brought 74,O0O Reichs mark at 8 Berlin auction; Jan Steen' "Ouarreling Peasants: Van Ostadei "Chat at the House Door," sold fo 37.OOO Reichs marks. A snow land scape by Ayercamp brought S2,00| marks.
 Other famous masters, many iron famous private collections in Am sterdam suffered the same fate ''View on Rhenen," van Goyen and the temptation of Saint An thony" be Bosch; Quentin Matsey' Madonna" and "A Mans Portrait by Antonio Moro are a few of tn well-known canvasses.
 'Night Watch" Is Hidden
 past German censors," stoppelmal
 "From facts recently smuggleI said, "the quantity of Dutch paint ings reaching the market Is so larg that even the Deutsche zeitung. German language paper in occupie' Holland, expressed it's surprise"
 One beacon shines through thi distressing news. It concerns Rem brandt's Might Watch"-the mas terwork that hung in solitary gran deur in its specially-built Rijks museum hall in Amsterdam.
 On May l4, le40. when the heroi Dutch army was forced to yield . superior forces, the Might Watch was saved. A museum director aiI six helpers took the masterpiece i' a secret hiding place. After a haz ardous trip through bombed terri tory the party reached the secre vault in . desolate spot. Here tn masterpiece was detached from 1t stretchers, carefully rolled ant placed Inside the vault.