The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-17
GERMAN FOOD PLEA
ASYMPATHY MOVE
Washington Learns Stocks Are
Sufficient to Meet I'm
mediate Needs.
TIRED OF SOLE NOTES
Repeated Messages Regarded
as Effort to Excite Sentiment
Among Aliens in L. S.

WASHINGTON, Nov: 1s.-In tho almost
hystericsi appeals OF the German Pro-
visional Government for supplies OF food
and FOR permission 10 address itself di-
recuy through commission to the
American public, officials here zee a
purpose TO excite the sympathy OF a
large element OF the American popula-
iion more or lsss connected by blood
ties with Germany. With such sympa-
thies aroused the German Government,
IL was sad. undoubtedly hopes TO in
fiuence the approaching peace confer
ence toward lenIency.
Such appejls "a those which have
been sent by wireless by DR.. Solf. Ger
man Foreiiu Secretary, 70 Secretary
Lansing. were said to be quite unnec-
essary and not likely to have any bene-
hcial results. President Wilson al
ready has promised TO do everything
possible to prevent suffering among the
civil population OF the conquered st ties.
The Entente Powers have indorsed
this attitude. not 70 much from consid-
erauons of mercy or sympathy with the
foe as from a genuine conviction that
. starving and desperate people would
make dangerous neighbors. render any
satisfactory peace impossible and by
appeals to the in;srnationalist spirit
endanger the security OF the Entente
countries themselves.
No Immediate Need for Food.
The design OF the conservative
elements In the Entente States IL under
stood TO be to avoid raising any new
issues that would aggravate these con-
ditions.
II IL known officially that there is
u..A e, TN
mediate needs. The Supreme War
Council Is planning to, supply food In
the future and before the present stocks
are exhausted. assuming the exercise OF
wise economy In food distri bution.
Therefore. Il 10 said 20 be quite un-
necessary for the German government 10
send the proposed commission to the
United States to arrange for the pur-
chase OF food. Mr.. Hoover and the
agencies behind him will attend to all OF
that
To correct what appears 10 be a gen.
-ral public misunderstanding on the sub
tect, il may be authoritatively stated
shat none Of this food 10 be sent from
America TO Germany or Austria will be
given away. II must be paid for BY the
governments OF those countries
Possibly that cannot be done in Ger
man cash. for II is believed the store OF
gold IN the HeicnsOann mas Deen pfac-
,ically exhausted through the heavy
purchases which Germany has been
obliged to make from neutral countries,
for which she had TO pay In coin for the
most part.
May Establish German Credit.
That situation may make 1t necessary
TO establish a German credit, but X this
In done Il will be the act OF the supreme
War Council as part OF It's function in
carrying out the terms and spirit of the
ar1ntstices- America will not rave to
bear the burdens or assume the risk
alone.
Rapid development OF the new German
Government on democratic lines as re-
corded in the 1ress dispatches Is viewed
with satisfaction here.
The composition OF the new Cabinet,
including al II does sane and conserva-
tive elements enough 10 leayen the
whole. ts taken as guarantee against
B2lshevik control. and 1t Is hoped that
with tc assurance OF, not an abundance
ot food. but sufficient 20 avert famine at
least the new Government can be as
sured OF more permahency than marked
the advent OF the first revolutionary or
Myiukoff Government in Russia.