Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-05-11
Germans and Allies
Bargain for Goods
From Neutral Spain
Each Side Tries to Block
Other From Purchasing
Mueh-Needed Supplies
BY THOMAS r. HENRY,
Star Staff Correspondent.

Staf StAt1 correspondent.
LONDON (By MaiD Neutral
Spain Is a battle-ground Of bargain
drivers. Often in adjoining rooms
of the same hotel in Spanish town
today may be found an energetic,
wiry American or English buyer and
a stolid, thick-necked German
probably dressed in imitation Brit
ish tweeds-who are waging battle
of wits which may be as signifi-
cant as a battle of guns.
Spain produces certain war es-
sentials. In some cases it is the
sole source of supply left open to
the Axis. In very few cases are the
Spanish goods vital to the United
Nations, although they are appre-
ciated.
The object of the business battle
is to buy them before the other
fellow gets his hands on them. 1t
is far from a simple proposition OF
outbidding one another. Even after
goods are bought and paid for an
export license must be obtained
from the Spanish government to
get them out of the country. and
this is seldom given to either side
except for something in return
promise of goods essential to Span
ish economy.
Allies Gaining Ground.
BY and large this battle of the
shock troops of business, which
started with the Axis in a favor
able position, has been swinging OF
late towards the United Nations,
1t is revealed by experts OF the Min
istry of Economic Warfare here. For
example little over year ago
Germany was purchasing about
1000 tons a year of one essential
product. Since then these purchases
have been cut down to 400 tons
year.
Perhaps the most important of
all the Spanish products for Ger
man war purposes is the mineral
wolfram, necessary in steel produc-
ton The Spanish resources are
small, but Germany can get wolf
ram nowhere else. She is willing
to pay any price. Both America
and Great Britain can lay their
hands on plenty of wolfram. but
are willing to buy all Spain has to
offer to keep it out of German
hands
Other products badly needed in
Germany are iron ore, SPANS low
grade mica, hides, etc. Spain her
self will grant no export licenses to
anybody for wool, which Germany
would like most of all at this time
1t is never, Ministry of Economic
Warfare experts say. matter of
reckless Overlooking. In no case do
American or British buyers 60 more
than per cent over the German
offer and they often are able to
strike far better bargain. Spain
is badly in need of cereals Pc
troleum also is essential, since the
railroads are in such a state of
decay that much of the Nations
transportation must be by truck.
Seller Must Deliver.
However important to the Span
ish individual the price he can get
for his product, it means nothing
at all unless he can deliver it. He
cannot deliver it to anybody unless
an export license is granted and
the government naturally will
grant this only to some one who can
sell the country grains and oil. Ger
many no longer is in a position to
do this.
strictly neutra country with no
specific obligations to either side
1t would be entirely justified in
buying products from the United |.
States and selling them to Ger |
many. Here again the wits of the
men armed with check books must |.
De sharp to see that they don't .
make promises of supplies beyond |
the absolute needs of the Spanish |
people.
And nothing is promised unless it
is certain the promise can be full
filled This has been a jor card |
IN the hands of the United Nations
buyers, for the Spanish business
man is tired of empty German
promises.
Even with the increasing sue
resses, it should not be assumed,
Ministry of Economic Warfare ex-
perts say, that the battle is entirely
one-sided Geography plays big
part. There are some products
which one cannot reasonably hope
to prevent the Germans from get
ting.
A unique feature of this bargain
ing is that it is all by word of
mouth. Deals never are put on
paper. There is never an embar- !
RAISING signature to be found And |
the Spaniards have lived up to
these unwritten agreements very
e. l,f,