The German system has been to close its deals amicably. wherever possible. Sometimes they offer prices well above the market; sometimes. Where owners are reluctant to sell to Germans. the latter engage Frenca dummies to do their buying. When these means fail gentle hints are thrown vut: "better sell while you can or you may have it taken from Recently the Paris "Oeuvre" published the following announcement:
^As was announced by the Minister of Finance on December 9. 1940, th board of the ie Francaise des Mines de Bor reminds its stockholders group is about to acquire tock of the company and will take over administration of the company.
"The stock, no matter what category swill be purchased at Fr. 3,900 a share. The sale of stock is optional. The board. however, strongly advises stockholders. with no reservations, to realize on this Operation as rapidly as possible."
Nothing strong arm about that. But few will miss the hint.
The Vichy Government recently put through a law forbidding sale of French segitrities to foreigners either in or out-of France. If this law is permitted to stand, it will slow down the gobbling up of French industry. It won't stop the sale of privately ¢wned industry which does not have its stock listed on the market. Much of French heavy industry is so earned. The week the decree was sed, a family-owned Lorraine mill was sold for Fr. 30,000,000 cash
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.