The Wilmington morning star., 1943-11-15
inside Washington

among government officials have DELAYED IN
to now the freezing of Argentine funds held
on deposit in the United States And so far as
prospect that an agreement will be reached
on this question soon.
The result is that what happened in the case
of Germany and some other countries is hap
pening in the case of Argentina. That it, if
the U.S. ever gets around to locking the stable
door, it probably will be after the horse is
stolen.
The Argentine government for some time
now has been withdrawing approximately 200
million dollars in gold which the Central Bank
OF the Argentine has had on deposit in this
country. This is extraordinary because of
high war risk insurance rates in shipping
gold, but the government of the South Ameri-
can nation apparently is afraid that the
United States might finally make up its mind
to freeze all Argentine deposits in this coun-
try.
move in that direction was made last
week when the assets of two Of the largest
banks of the Argentine were frozen here. The
official American reason was that the banks
were aiding the Nazis. There has been no ev:-
dence of an intention, however to grab all
the Argentine funds in this country.
But the Buenos Aires boys would rather
have their gold back home than risk having
to dicker with Uncle Sam to get it. We, Incl
dentally are losing trump card as the funds
move out.
If we had the Argentine dough, the dicta-
tor government down south would be in poorer
position to thumb its nose at us. Government
officials interested in economic welfare have
been insisting on freeze order but the state
nj he n
partment thinks the people of the South Arneri-
can republic are friendly and doesn't want to
turn them against the United States by harsh
economic measures.
There is growing indication that the Ger
mans are facing an increasingly critical short
age of high proof gasoline and fine lubricat-
ing oils for airplanS and that this will hamper
the Nazi war effort more and more.
One reason for the shortage is said to be
the devasting American bombing raid on the
Ploesti oil fields in Rum which soon can
expect to receive additional plastering
from American and British planes based in
southern Italy.
The Germans position may become even
more critical if Bulgaria and Rumania are
forced out of the war by the advancing Rus
sian hordes. There have been growing signs,
too, that these nations are willing to follow
One reason for the Russian success in winter
offensives has been that German synthetic
lubricants are almost useless in sub-zero
temperatures whereas the Sovie,s have been
able to operate equipment in the worst pos
Sble weather.
Apropos feed for livestock, Ser Aiken, Ver-
mont Republican, has warned that the feed in
dustry is profiteering off farmers by conbin-
ing little barley with corr meal and sell
it at S45 to $50 ton as mixed feed in New
England.
OPA has set no control over mixed feed and
the result is that by adding little different
grain to one type of feed another, the price
OF the combination is more than doubled
over the price of any component part.
Although he generally is 'agin'' government
control of such things Aiken believes Uncle
Sam ought to ouy up the grain crops in order
to improve distribution of grai:5 supplies and
to keep prices out of the profiteerlng brackets.
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