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HIGH FINANCE: Second Battle of the Ebro

Spain's stooped and shriveled Juan March has come a long way since the days of his penniless youth when he earned his first pesetas by smuggling tobacco. He did not learn to read or write until his late 40s, but he had a flair for figures. He multiplied his first stake into a fortune (estimated at $100 million to $200 million), gained mastery over scores of Spain's chief industries and banks, and helped finance Franco's rebellion.

Last week, at 70, Juan March (rhymes with park) staged one of the most audacious strokes of...

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