Evening star., 1945-09-06
American Reparations|
Likely 10 Be Least
OF Occupying Powers
By the Associated Press.

OF Occupying Powers
By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, Sept. 6.-The ,Ameri-
can share of German repara-
tions, 1t was predicted by finan-
cial experts today, is likely to be
the smallest of any of the four
occupying powers.
The Americans eventual recon-
pense from the defeated enemy is
expected to be about per cent of
that of the Soviet Union, about one
half of Britain's and somewhat less
than that of France, despite an in
tensive search by United States
agents for a treasure trove of con-
cealed German assets abroad esti-
mated at slightly over $1,000, ,000, 900.
The first major United States pro-
posal before the Allied Control
Council is decree which would vest
ownership Of all of Germany's ex-
ternal property In the council. This
is deemed necessary hefore direct
action can be taken to seize German
assets in neutral countries The de-
cree is still under discussion.
Neutrals have been asked to- freeze
and inventory such assets.
Caches Among Five Neutrals.
According to preliminary Amer
ican estimates, the Germans have
cached assets Of 1889 ,667 900 among
five neutrah. Switzerland is be-
neved to have 5000, 100000 The re-
mainder is distributed among Argen-
tina, Spain. Portugal and Turkey,
In addition, possibly another $780,
600 900 is secreted in Sweden.
All Vaccinations known to high
and low finance were used by Nazi
capitalists to hide the trail Of the
wealth they sent abroad. A SIM
plified example is an account opened
under a Swiss name in a Swiss
bank, transferred to a Dutch bank,
Iretransferred to a Swedish bank and
ultimately placed in either the
United States or Britain. The han
ding of commercial stocks make
much more battling problems for
investigators.
American interest in uncovering
all of Germany's foreign holdings
Is acute because these offer what is
described by financial experts as
about the only feasible form In
which We can get some real repara-
tions."
Unlike the other Allies, the United
States shows little desire to obtain
physical resources from Germany
American officials here do not be-
lieve their country can make eco
nomically worthwhile use of raw
materials, virtually all Of which are
produced also in the United States
industrial capital equipment. agri-
cultural equipment and livestock
forced labor or merchant and naval
shipping.
The Soviet Union, at the other ex-
treme, spreads its removals" over
all of the above categories. OF Il
or Is United Nations seeking to
share the reparations from the
western occupation zones, most
could use anything and everything
as do the Russians.
Need of Gold Doubted.
There is even some doubt ir
American circles whether the United
States has need Of any of the gold
approximately 5000 900, 900, seized by
Gen. Eisenhower's armies on Ger
man soil. Counting In foreign ex.
change and securities which were
discovered also. the, pot" in Amer.
ican hands Is we'll over the quarter
billion mark. xezg mf
1t is expected the United States
will make certain Of obtaining al
German holdings in Latin America
Furthermore, the United States al.
ready has acquired wealth in the
form of industrial patents, processe.
and fermulae in the military sweeI
across Germany to the Elbe.
There was no hesitation in comb.
ing the famous Zeiss plant at jena
for its commercial value. While re.
jecting a share of German forced
labor. the United States has beer
active in recruiting scientists anc
technicians to engage in continued
research on the other side of the
Atlantic.
But taking everything into con.
sideration, financial sources say tn,
United States at most will get from
Germany about as much as it cos
to wage the war for less than on,
month.