" Trading with the Enemy,"
Page 16
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The following article has been translated from the German, as published in a recent issue of the " Allgemeine Automobtl-Zeitung," It reveals the German state of mind and, incidentally, their knowledge of the facts, with regard to the supply of motor lorries by America to the Allies.
"We have already drawn our readers' attention to the delivery of motorcars from the neutral states of America to the enemy. The export of these vehicles has increased to such an extent recently that it will be interesting to give some figures taken from various journals. The statistics of the United States of America show that 1003 vehicles were in 1913 exported, to the value of about 7.1 million marks (Z337,500). This was increased in 1914 to 3430, with the increased value of 38.1 million marks (21,810,000).
Where U.S.A. Lorries are Going.
" The difference the present war has madeeto this industry is clearly shown when we know that in 1913 only 88 lorries were exported from North America to the value of 425,000 marks (Z20,180), compared in December, 1914, with 1279 lorries to the value of 14.5 million marks (Z688,500). One must also not lose sight of the fact that the December, 1914, figures did not, of course, include a single vehicle for Germany, Austria or Italy. It clearly shows that this export trade was intended for the enemy only.
"France is at the head of the list with 969 lorries and passenger vehicles to the value of 11 million marks (X522,500), which were exported from North America; England comes second with 860 lorries and passenger vehicles to the value of about 4.3 millions (2204,000); then follows India and Australia with 285 lorries and passenger vehicles. In January, 1915, 935 motor lorries to the value of 11 million marks (Z522,500) were sent to the enemy from North America, whereas the whole export trade in lorries for January, 1914, did not amount to more than 44 vehicles to the value of 330,000 marks (Z15,660)..
£3,340,654 Worth of Machines.
" Even these figures do not give us any idea how many vehicles have actually been sold to the enemy. It will be understood that it was impossible for American manufacturers to supply all the vehicles that were ordered, as naturally they were not prepared to give deliveries of such large quantities. The figures which we have stated will give some idea of how the U.S.A. ha,s, for the last few months, profited by the war by delivering these vehicles to the enemy. We have heard that alone in the five months from the let September, 1914, to the beginning of February, 1915, about 5510 lorries valued to the extent of 70,000,000 marks (p8,340,654) were sold to the enemy, giving an average per month of 11,000 lorries. The following table gives a tabulated list of American manufacturers to whom this export refers. We give the total number of wagons and their approximate value:— "Nearly half of these lorries were ,intended for the French Government. Russia comes next with 2000 lorries, the Belgian Government 300, England and Canada being responsible for the remainder. The lorries referred to carry between 1 an.d 5 tons, It will be seen that it is quite time that the strongest
possible in were taken with German submarines n order to stop this traffic.
Unlaniiliar Makes for England.
"During February, 1915, the monthly average of 1100 wagons looks like being increased. TheRepublican Motor Truck Co., of Alma, Mich., will supply the English Government with 300 vehicles. The Service Motor Truck Co., of Wabash, Ind., have an order for England for 300 chain-driven lorries, these vehicles each having a carrying capacity of 3 tons. The LauthJuergens Motor Oar Co., Fremont, Ohio, has delivered to the enemy 200 Fremon Mais lorries. The Morton Truck and Tractor Co., Harrisburg, Pa., have received an order from the English Government for 116 lorries with a carrying capacity of from 2 to 5 tons, which are to be delivered in 60 days. Russia is to receive 300 armoured cars. Both these orders have a value of roughly 8.5 million marks (E404,000). Of the armoured cars, 50 will be delivered this month. The price of one of these cars is estimated roughly between 21,000 and 38,000 marks (21800). This motor develops 120 h.p. and is run On petrol. The transmission on these vehicles is on each of the four wheels ; the armour plating is 15 mm. steel plate. They are ,steerable by both the axles, so that the back wheel follows the track of the front wheel. The transmission on each of the four wheels is particularly useful for driving in streets and other places where space is limited. The armoured cars can climb hills of 45 degrees. These should also be particularly useful for bringing up guns or ammunition.
130 Four.-wheel,-drive Armed Care.
"Further, the Four Wheel Drive Auto Co., of Chintonville, Wis., have received an order for 130 armoured ears with four-wheel transmission, these also being intended for the enemy. The South Bend Motor Works, of South Bend, Ind., have also sold to the English Government 250 motor lorries, 160 of these being for Lazarett ' wagons and 100 intended to be converted into armoured cars.
"From these figures, which are taken from American newspapers, it will be seen that the American motorcar industry during February, 1915, alone has exported 1166 lorries and 530 armoured cars, with an additional 1700 ordinary motor vehicles. We can notice from this what neutrality is doing for these companies.
"In addition to the figures we have already given, there is no doubt much could be added if we knew of some of the orders which are probably given indirectly. In order to give deliveries punctually, in nearly all the factories night and day shifts, and in some eases three shifts, of workmen are employed, while the smaller companies are working for the larger manufacturers in order to attain their end. The Americans have also the additional facility of having the necessary material on hand. Dividends Of 100 per cent., like the Republican Motor Truck Co., of Alma, are not at all rare.
"With the foregoing particulars we can only advise our submarines to take particular notice of boats which sail under the American flag."
(We have italicised eight lines.—ED, "0a1."3