South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-25
Skilled W. terS by Thousands
Can be Used by the Al
lies in Rear of the
Fighting Lines.
FIRST LOAN WILL BE
MADE TO THE BRITISH
United Kingdom is to Receive
100000 00-Food
Problem in Italy and
France is Serious.
ILternatIonal News Seryice:


WASHINGTON. April 25.-FOod
and then more food, and trained
men by the hundred thousand for
transport work must be Americas
initial contribution TO end the Euro
pean war. The question of soldiers
is serious but il can wait without
causing a serious crisis. This was
emphasized here today as the state
department put the finishing touch
es in the arrangements for the con-
ferenoes between the president and
the cabinet and the members of the
Anglo French commission. The ar
rival If the mission representing
France made it possible for the
president TO clear the decks for
real action.
The British experts already have
accomplished much. The first loan
to Great Britain has been arranged
as the result Of the conferences be-
tween Lord Cunliffe, governor of the
bank of England. and Sec'y of the
Treasury McAdoo. IL totals $2OC,-
GOO. 600 and is to be the first of
has been emphasized by the admin
istration that there will be no
quibbling in loaning the $4,000, 0O0.-
600 dollars set aside for that pur-
pose. 1t will be placed TO the credit
of the nations as soon as the exact
needs can be outlined.
Glad to Get Money.
But. il is not money that is most
needed, although the visitors make
it very plain that they are glad they
are TO get it. The food problem is
increasingly serious. Advices from
France and Italy show that despite
all efforts of the governments there
is very real shortage OF staples.
They are looking TO the United
States 10 relieve this. In his con-
ference with Pres't Wilson. British
Foreign Sec'y Arthur James Balfour
made this very plain. And the pres
iGent has told TO all officials of the
government that every possible step
shall be taken to check the enor-
nous waste which is making serious
inroads into the reserve food supply
of the United states
Ii is expected that as soon as
Herbert G. Hoover, who has been
selected to take charge of the con-
servation of food stuffs in this
country, reaches Washington, which
will be in a very few days, he will
take up with the experts of the
Anglo-French commission the ques-
ton of supplying a certain quantity
Of selected food stuffs to the entente
nations on an agreed-On schedule
which will provide for fleet sailings
Of freighters instead of individual.
Need Transport Workers.
And. in advance of the French
mission came word today that its
members intended making it plain
TO the president that the lack Of
trained transport workers and men
who can re-create the railroads and
highways and the cities and towns
of France. obliterated by the Ger
mans as they are pushed back, IS
hampering the French at this time
France also wants an American
army in her trenches as soon as pos
sible. but this is for the moral effect
lis lllUSA VI E-NAllE AANNA " III NN All
American experts who can organize
her new railroads and operate them
i'm a manner that Will be Of most
material benefit 10 the army on the
firing line.
The French mission brought with
il broad suggestions for this work.
Its ministry OF marine has worked
out a comprehensive plan 70 safe
guard commerce between this couu-
try and certain ports in France.
These will be submitted 10 the pres
ident and Sec'y Daniels as soon as
the general series OF conferences
commence. Details are withheld.
but il is explained that the powers
OF the French commission are of a
very broad character
In the financial way il is esti-
mated that France viii need at least
$1,000. 100000 during the next 10
months Ii is expected that this
money viii be made available i'm
mediately for the purchase Of the
supplies and food stuffs that are re-
CURED.