Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-03
SERIOUS DANGER
OF WORLD FAMINE
French Commission at Washing.
ton Points Out Economic
Decay of Europe.
QUICK ACTION NEEDED.
Many Months Of Bitter Fighting Ahead
More Transportation Facilities
on the Seas Imperative.

Washington. April 27.-Onc of the
foremost purposes of tho French mis-
sion. revealed to-day authoritatively
for the first time, is to impress upon
the American government and people
the serious food situation In Europe
Members Of the economic section of the
mission believe there is serious danger
of a world famine.
Other features Of the war will be
carefully canvassed. however, during
the stay Of the mission in Washington.
One of the members said to-day that
since their arrival the visitors had
broadenei greatly the outlined scope
Of their discussions At hrst. he said
they expected to devote themselves
principally to a visit of courtesy. but
now they were prepared to go into the
practical problems of the war very
fully and work out detailed plans OF
CO. operation.
The economic section Of the mission
is prepared to submit evidence that all
the world is seriously threatened with
famine because Of the withdrawal OF
men from agriculture, the lack OF fer
tilizers and the arrangement of trans
portation facilities.
ROLLING STOCK WEARING OUT.
Rolling stock Of railroads in Europe
rapidly is being worn out through the
lack of lubricants. it is declared, and
more railway supplies are urgently
needed. The growing scarcity Of trans
portation facilities on the seas makes 1t
imperative. the Frenchmen believe. that
the United States carry out quickly its
plan for a large fleet of wooden ships to
assist in the struggle against Germany
-
assume that even peace would greatly
alter food conditions. for those now on the
verge of starvation will need great guam
! titles of food before they can produce 1t
themselves. 1t is felt that the seriousness
Of the situation is greatly increased by
the almost universal crop failure.
! 1t is said that the Germans recently
have made extraordinary efforts to send
to the bottom vessels carrying grain to
the allies Second choice for sinking is
said to he boats carrying steel. and after
them the Germans have tried to sink coal
laden ships.
LONG FIGHTING AHEAD.
While definite ascendancy over the Ger
man war machine has been established by
the allied forces in France. both in per-
sonnet and equipment. and eventual VIC
tory is in sight, many months Of bitter
fighting are still ahead.
This is the view Of military experts at
tached to the French commission as gath
cred by officers Of the American general
staff to-day. during informal converse
tons at the war department The French
officers discussed the situation most
frankly. Much Of what was said was
strictly confidential. and information as
to the immediate military situation Of the
utmost importance was freely given I'M
der that seal.
In addition the American expert
obtained many facts and figures ap
iplying directly to problems to be con
sidered by the United States in raisini
It's war army. and which are not re
garded as military secrets.
WARS TERRIBLE TOLL
, Statements of the Frenchmen full.
: confirmed conclusions reached by tn
general staff after its long study o
losses in all armies actually engage
in Europe in an effort to learn the pro
vision they must make for maintain
ing the fighting strength Of an arm
at the front. The terrible toll Il
dead. manned and prisoners. compute
on figures including Russia's enor
nous losses in captured. amounts t
ten per cent. a month Of troops at tn
front. Half Of these are permanent
out Of action. and were 1t not for tn
. constant stream Of recruits going for
ward every day an army OF millio
r men soon would fade away.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL SOON.
The French visitors spent virtually tn
entire day exchanging views and in1orma
ton with representatives Of the Amer
: can government. The groundwork 10
e joint conferences of the British. Frenc
: and American representatives was la1
:, during a talk between British Foreig
n Minister Balfour and Rene Viviani, hea
/. Of the French conferees.
i From Admiral Cocheprat and othe
n naval members of the commission AZ
s miral Benson and other naval officel
n received first hand information regart
e ing the war operations Of the Frenc
= navy. No official statement concernin
h their talk was made. but the French o
o ficers are known to be in position
offer the American navy any assistant
10 it desires, including the use of ports
n France
JOFFRE CALLS ON SCOTT.
u Marshal Joffre and the military contil
:" gent under him discussed army problem
:. with officials of the war department al
~ war college experts. Most Of the fac
communicated by the visitors were of
highly confidential nature. Marshal 10
&c fire himself and his staff called at Il
army war college and upon Major-Ge
is eral Scott and members of the gener
~ staff. The marshal, addressing himse
~ to General Scott. expressed with gre
a earnestness the qualification Of the Fren'
~ army at having Americans as brother
u, in-arms. General Scott. In reply. referr'
[u to Marshal Joffre as the foremost soldi
l r., of the world. the victor of the Marine. h
", decisive conflict of the greatest war
ID history.
CO., Marshal Joffrc also visited the arm
e. engineer barracks and received many
TO the officers. The marshal himself is
d engineer. and he noted with smiles Il
ey American engineer corps insignia, a ca
er tie similar to that used by the Fren
"e armies.
M. Viviani devoted the day to eonfe
ss ring with American officials. receivi
en callers and visiting the United. Stat
~ ~ supreme court.