South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-28
FOOD GREATEST
NEED Of FRANCE
Members of Commission De-
clare Whole World is in
Danger of Famine.

French war mission has informed
the American government that the
things France needs most from the
United States are money. food. fer
tilizers. coal. steel. oil and trans
pOrtation equipment. especially ships
in which 10 carry goods from the
new 20 the old world
one OF the foremost purposes OF
the French mission. revealed late
Friday authoritatively for the first
time. is 10 impress upon the Amer
lean government and people the ser
ious food situation in Europe. Mem
bers OF the economic section Of the
mission believe there is serious dan
ger OF a world famine
other features Of the war will he
carefully canvassed however. during
the stay OF the mission in Washing
ton. one Of the members said Fri
day that since their arrival the visit
ors had broadened greatly the out
lined scope of their discussions. At
first. he said. they expected 20 de-
vote themselves principally 10 visit
Of courtesy, but now they were pre-
pared TO 20 into the practical prob
lens Of the war very fully and work
out detailed plans OF cooperation.
World Famine Threatened.
The economic section of the mis-
sion is prepared 20 submit evidence
that all the world is seriously
threatened with famine because Of
the withdrawal of men from agri-
culture the lack of fertilizers, and
the arrangement Of transportation
facilities
Rolling stock Of railroads in Eu
rope rapidly is being worn through
the lack OF lubricants. it is declar-
ed. and more railway supplies are
urgently needed. The growing scare
ity of transportation facilities on
the seas. makes il imperative. the
Frenchmen believe that the United
States carry out quickly its plan for
| large fleet OF wooden ships 10 as
sist i'm the struggle against Ger
many.
Peace not II Panacea.
| The mission believes il a fallacy
1 to assume that even peace would
greatly alter food conditions for
those now on the verge of starva-
ton will need great quantities of
| food before they can produce il
| themselves. 1t is felt that the seri-
! BUSINESS of the situation is greatly
increased by the almost universal
/ crop failure.
1t is said that the Germans re-
Gently have made extraordinary eff
/ forts to send to the bottom vessels
| carrying grain 10 the allies. Second
| choice for sinking is said 70 be boats
/ carrying steel, and after them the
Germans have tried to sink coal
/ laden ships.
Long Fight Still Ahead.
While definite ascendancy over
/ the German war machine has been
established by the allied forces i'm
France, both in personnel and
/ equipment, and eventual victory is
/ i'm sight. many months of bitter
! fighting are still ahead.
This is the view of military eX-
perts attached to Frances war com
mission as gathered by officers of
the American general staff Friday
during informal conversations at
/ AAAt " clA uGBai AliitllA liz AEllNAl
officers discussed the situation most
frankly. Much of what was said was
strictly confidential and information
as TO the immediate military situa-
ton of the utmost importance was
freely given under that seal.
In addition the American experts
obtained many facts and figures APP
plying directly TO problems TO be
considered by the United States in
raising its war army, and which are
not regarded as military secrets.
show EnOrmity of Losses.
Statements of the Frenchmer
fully confirmed conclusions reached
by the general staff after its Ions
study of losses in all armies actually
engaged in Europe. in an effort tC
learn the provision they must make
for maintaining the lighting strength
of any army at the front. The ter
rible toll in dead. manned and pris-
oners, compiled on figures including
Russia's enormous losses in cap
tured amounts 70 10 percent q
month Of troops at the front. Hall
OF these are permanently out of ac-
/ NAolls anu NOAC ~ Ao1 AoA tAlO ~D-'
slant stream of recruits going for
ward every day, an army of mil
lion men soon would face away.
OF the mOunded or i'll sent 10 th'
rear. great numbers recuperate and
return to their regiments. With Z
medical corp service working a
highest possible efficiency. half o
the entire loss of an army is reCOv
cred TO active duty. but the process
takes more than three months.
This condition is one o. the i'm
pelling reasons why the genera
stan STOOD firmly for the selectiv
draft plan of the administration
army bill. Under the volunteer plal
England's forces at the front wer
, IN, soma cases 81 reduced in strength