The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-12-07

Experts CsI|sd 70
Provide War Cash
"Oeeupssion Funds" Sent
To North Africa
tiiHer Recalls esnker
He Once Dsposed
'Puek" Of she 6rsnd
Old Game Rssires


By RAY TUCKER
WASHINGTON Monetary
moves by American ilberators 10
win the support and permanent
friendship OF North African
Frenchmen ana natives matched
our naval and military strategy In
careful planning and sensational
character. They provide a pattern
OF conquest and courtship for
other peoples We aim to free from
Axis clutches.
Few days after the success Of
the Eisenhower expedition was
assured. Secretary stimson phon-
Cd Secretary Moreenthau and
asked the name Of the latters ton
foreign exchange expert. @Ber-
nard Bernstein" replied the
treasury boss. referring to the
head Of the Foreign Funds Con-
troll division With Mr.. Morgen-
thau's approval. thu specialist was
rushed to the War Department.
named . lieutenant colonel and
allowed into Z ready-made uniform.
Next morning he was flying to
London on the fastest army bomb
er.
In England ne arranged for the
printing Of Occupation money"
for use IN North Africa. II re-
sembles United States currency
except that the seal on the face
r. Of . different color. Our SOL
diers win BE- paid In these green
backs. which are good for al
transactions IN the reconquered
area. though not exchangeable
outside. They win Be Withdrawn
from circulation At the close Of
this phase Of the conflict.
Mr.. Bernstein's next act was to
stabilize the value Of the almost
worthless French franc In terms
of our dollar. reducing Il from
seventy-fivs to forty-four. Besides
shipping In supplies unobtainabls
before our entry. We are putting
real cash into uss and increasing
local purchasing power. Note: II
10 UNDERWOOD that special notes
for eventual distribution In an
Ailied-occupied italy have been
bfepared. In view Of Prime Min
lister Churchill's recent address.
our plan TO descend on the land
Of the Caesars next 10 hardly an
international secret.
Anelo-Amsrican strategists an
ticipate that war In the European
theater will enter = new and fierce
stage sooner than the public en-
pects; perhaps more quickly than
the authorities had believed pos
sible themselves. They would not
be surprised II Hitler withdrew
his far-flung legions from all areas
except central Europe and assum-
Cd "come and get me" defensive.
Der Fuehrcr II beinE rolled back
on the Russian front from the
White to the Black Sea. II 10
doubtful whether he can afford to
make Z winter stand in unprspar-
cd positions In that sector. The
prospective defeat or separation
Of Italy from the Berlin axis
might easily result In . collapse
Of German forces in all the Bal
kans, especially In Albania and
Greece. In that event the NaM
chieftain would be forced 10 recall
ana consolidate his forces lest
they should Be overwhelmed piece
meal The Same considerations
may impei him to retreat from
his exposed flank on the Scan
dinavian peninsula
II would Be the same sort q
backward movement which Hin
denburg conducted - mastsrfuily
IN tbs last year Of ths other con-
1lict.
The resppearancs Of Hjalmar
schacht ~ Germany's monetary
adviser may reflect Der Fuehrer's
desperation. In ths opinion a
! American diplomats and industri-
aIists. Ths formsr bead Of the
Reichsbank. who Devised the sys-
tenn Of barter which enabled Ger
many to rearm. wss deposed some
time ago because of his ultraoon-
oervative views.
n II understood here that Hitter
Has asked the financial wizard 10
prepare memos setting forth the
Reich's prospects IN the event Of:
1. Utter rout On the battlefieid-
4. Peace sued for ana negotiated
. before the United Nations invade
and destroy the Fatherland and 3.
Internal collapse such a. occurred
IN 1e1s-1s1s. Fairly authentic re-
ports from London that the head
man has asked for advice On thee
alternative Developments suggest
that possibly he u running for
cover.
Reenlistment Of Schacht may be
: 3 smart stroke. He has numerous
contacts with British and United
states interests which have . def
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