Statistics prove this statement for the 33,000,000 tons of iron Germany needs annually, she herself produces only 12000000 tons. Of the remaining 21,000,000 tons, she imported in peacetime 40 per cent. from Sweden, 25 per cent. from the French empire and the rest from other countries which have since been cut off by the blockade. Only Luxemburg is the exception, but this grandduchy supplies only 2,000,000 tons annually to Germany.
These figures show that even if all Swedish iron exports were to reach their destination in. Germany, the Reich still would run short of iron in the not too distant future. Russia, it must be remembered, openly emits that her iron production barely meets her own needs.
Therefore, if two-thirds of Sweden's exports are cut off in transit through the North Sea, Germany will be able to obtain only about 17,000,000 tons of iron from all sources. And her needs still amount to 33,000,000 tons. and even more as war industries Swing into full blast production.—Havas ment quoted a report in Dutch newspapers describing the treatment of German prisoners in Africa and added that because of this, any request by British prisoners in the ship will definitely be refused.—Reuter,
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