New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-28
Cabinet Moves
To Prevent A
World Famine
Convinced u. S. Must Sup
ply Ships and Food
Speedily
Growing Danger in
U-Boat Successes
British and French Missions
Show Wilson First Ameri-
can War Step

Washington. April 27.-Evidence OF
/ growing success for the German SUB
marine blockade has forced the proo-
/ lem of supplying the Entente quickly
with food and other necessities sharply
into the forefront of the American gov
ernments war programme.
Aroused by information brought to
this country by the British and FEench
war missions, President Wilson and his
Cabinet gravely set about to-day 70
launch with its full force as speedily as
possible their campaign to break down
the blockade, planned by the Admin
/ istration, as the nations first physical
stroke against Germany.
The food problem occupied the Cab
met meeting almost to the exclusion oil
all the other important war questions
before the government. Afterward 1t
was indicated that the recent German
submarine ravages were considered so
successful that the United States must
marshal its resources Immediately to
nut more merchant ships in commits
sion, to help devise some means OF
fighting submarines, and to insure
greater yield of foodstuffs to Offset the
increasing destruction of food cargoes
in the war zone.
Fear of World Famine
Members of the Cabinet took to the
meeting a great quantity of informa-
ton given by the visiting missions
including a plea by some members OF
the French commission that America
must act quickly if the world is to be
saved from famine. Recent declara-
tions in the British Parliament were
reviewed as supplementing this e%''
dence. There was no attempt to con-
ceal the impression that the food
problem had taken on an aspect max
ing il lncomparably the most pressing
question facing the United States in
its efforts to stem the progress of Its
enemy
There were indications tonight that
more energetic measures might be ex-
pected to speed up the work Of re-
lieving the food situation in the En-
tente countries.
Acceleration OF the Shipping Board
programme for g great fleet Of wooden
ships to carry foodstufrs is regarded as
certain. To increase the transatlantic
tonnage the board also IS STRIVING 20
nut the German and Austrian ships into
service as quickly as possible, and 70
| transfer to foreign trade as many as
practicable of the coastwise and Great
Lakes steamers, and more energetic
steps than ever in that direction are
looked for. Early action on food con-
troll legislation is forecast, and there
probably will be more urgent appeals
10 the farmers to develop agricultural
resources to their utmost.
French Views of Food Shortage
One of the foremost purposes OF the
French mission, revealed late to-day
authoritatively for the first time. IL to
i-nDress upon the American govern
ment and people the serious food sit
nation in Europe. Members Of the
economic section Of the mission be.
liove there is serious danger @: world
famine.
The economic section of the mission
il prepared TO submit evidence that all
the world is seriously threatened with
famine because Of tie withdrawal OF
men from agriculture, the lack of fer
tilizers and tire arrangement of trans
portation facilities.
The mission believes il a fallacy "a
assume that even peace would greatly
alter food conditions, for those now on
the verge of starvation will need great
quantities of food before they can pro-
duce il themselves. II is felt the Sc
riousness of the situation is greatly in
creased by the almost universal crop
failure.
On the military side il was said that
while definite ascendancy over the Ger.
man war machine had been established
by the Allied forces in France, both in
personnel and equipment. and eventual
victory was in sight, many months OF
bitter fighting still were ahead.
This was the expressed view of mill
tary experts attached 10 Frances wal
commission as gathered by officers oil
the American General Staff to-day dur
ing informal conversations at the WaI
Department. The French officers dis
cussed the situation most frankly
Much of wha. YVES said was strictly
confidential, and information as to the
immediate military situation of the ut
most importance was freely given under
that seal
What France Needs
Members Of the mission in confer
ence with various officials informed
them to-day that the things France
needs most from the United States are
money. food in quantities. fertilizers
coal. steel, oil and transportation
eouipment for service on both land and
sea. especially a great number OF ships
10 carry materials from the new TO the
old world.
The Frerch visitors spent virtually
the entire day exchanging views and in
formation with representatives of the
American government. The ground
work for Joint conferences Of the Brit
4 ish, French and American representa-
tives was laid during a talk between
/ British Foreign Minister Balfour and
Rene Viviani, head of the French con
! ferrees.
! Marshal Joffre and the military con-
! tingent under him discussed army prob
! lens with officials of the War Depart
nent and War College experts. Most OF
| the facts communicated by the visitors
were Of a highly confidential nature.
NJ. Viviani devoted the day TO con-
| ferring with American officials, reeeiv-