Gold Warriors : the plunder of Asia
Please read the article of the Japan Times if you haven't read the book yet.
If you want more, read the backcover and prologue on the authors' website.
You can also order it from the JREF Shop (thanks) and post your review there.
I'd like to discuss with those having read the book what they think about it.
The numbers (gold, money in $) involved are so huge that it is hard to believe, especially that most are only estimations (and gold price fluctuates a lot over decades).
But what seems fairly certain is that Japan recovered most of the plunder from Korea and China, and a (small ?) part from South-East Asia. The total SE Asian treasures must not have accounted for half of all treasures from Asia, as China always had a much larger population than the whole of SE Asia, and was historically richer. What is more, the Japanese have had several more years' time to plunder China than SE Asia, as they started in 1905 in Manchuria and 1937 in Eastern China (the richest part).
But from what the Seagraves say, the Marcos would have recovered at least US$1,63-trillion worth of gold, and this only from a few caches out of the 175 existing ones. Santa Romana would have received a share worth US$50-billlion. Of course, we don't know what the US and Japan recovered from these 175 sites, but it seems that lots of them are still there. As a results, I'd say that there are/were several trillion $ worth only in the Philippines, and the part taken to Japan from Korea, China and what made it from SE Asia was certainly at least as big as this total, and most of it is either hidden in Japan (mountain tunnels, hidden mines, Imperial palace, zaibatsu...) or was taken by the US government (to finance the cold war against communism, and this way also assure its political control of many Latin American, or even European and Asian countries, including Japan).
If it is dubious that the Imperial family needs to be several richer than the entire Japanese population bare a few elite politicians, we could argue that the US made "good use" (bare a few "justified" assassinations) of this money (the M-fund or Black Eagle Trust) to "protect" (or corrupt) its allies during the cold war.
The Seagraves wonder what this money is used for now that the cold war is over. That disappoints me that they couldn't answer such a straightforward question. There are the Muslims now. America has got control (even superficial, at the top) of the whole world yet. Bush said it's time to crusade against the Talibans, Iraqi and even Irani, and maybe Syrian too. Who knows if they aren't going to "help" the poor Sudanese in Dafur in their combat against Islam. Probably not as there is not much to gain - but why not as there is money to spend and time (and Muslims) to kill.
I think you give the United States government too much credit.
As far as conspiracies go... I certainly find it believable that the United States had strong involvment in using dirty money to further it's own interests. In fact, I would be surprised if it didn't. I do find it unreasonable that America would be conspiring against Muslims. The majority of the Isamic nations, perhaps, are in the wrong place at the wrong time. On the flip side, they are ideal for abuse and demonization by the powers that be. America's involvement has nothing to do with religion, but with money. (But religion is a great scapegoat.)
Just to nitpick:
Quote:
America has got control (even superficial, at the top) of the whole world yet.
I disagree. America can't even control its self. Large, multi-national corporations based in America, however, are different story. I think they've show they can effectively control America and the rest of globe. Laws are only for people who can't afford bribes. (Especially international law.)
Whew! Lots of conspiracy theory there! Don't read into my words too deeply. I'm just saying whoever has the most money gets the biggest advantage.
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Gold Warriors By, Seagraves
Yes gGolden Warriorsh by the Seagraves is a fascinating read!
One of my favorite lectures in China is about this subject. I enjoy hearing the response of my students.
It it only an amount of time before I convince the Chinese to begin legal prosecution after the booty.
There is a money trail, there are bank accounts with hundreds of millions of dollars based in 1945 gold deposits to chase in the name of justice. This is one heck of growth industry for China. They should learn from the Israelis how it is done.
Another subject of particular interest to me is the Awa Maru.
Rumor has it, it lies in 150 feet of water in the Taiwan Straight with 5 billion dollars worth of 1945 diamonds on board!
This is an incredible story as well.
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