New-York tribune., 1918-11-17
Would Relax Blockade
and Let Them Feed
Selves Without
u. S. Sacrifice
Neutrals and Russia
Are i'm Sore Need
Continued Voluntary
Economy Here Would
Save 100000
Tons for Europe

Food Administrator Hoover, who
sailed yesterday on the Olympic to
make q survey of the food situation in
Europe, made 1t clear that the Ameri-
can people will not be required to
make sacrifices to fulfil German and
Austrian needs. He declared that lift
ing or relaxing of the Allied blockade
soon would permit Germany to feed
herself satisfactorily.
"There has been great deal of IN
necessary furore in this country about
feeding the Germans" Mr.. Hoover de-
clared. 1--WE are not calling upon the
American people to make any sacrifice
with view to feeding the Germans.
We are not worrying about the Ger
mans. They can take care of them
selves if given a chance. But the
blockade has got to be abandoned. If
there is an advance relaxation of the
from Norway and Sweden, grain from
Argentina. What is desired most now
is for Germany to get on some sort of
stable basis, so that she can pay the
money she owes to France and Bel
GUM
Further Economy Needed
Mr.. Hoover emphasized the fact that
no further restrictions on the use of
iood by the American people would be
imposed to relieve the straitened cir
cumstances of all Europe. Some of the
striking points he made in substantial
ton Of this are:
Europe has SO,Oo0,o00 men,
/. women and children whom ia
mine threatens this winter. But the
United States, by continuing to eXer-
else table and kitchen economies, will
nave some 20,o0O,0OO tons of surplus
iccd.
= Only 4o,000,0oO inhabitants of
-. Europe-thosc of South Rus
sla, Hungary and Dcnmark--haye food
enough to last them until the next
harvests have been gathered, though
the needs cf the Allied nations are
provided for.
! The chief concern of this nation
~. is the feeding of the smaller
nations devastated by Germany. This
alone means providing food for 49,
100000 persons.
Russia in Sore Need
d The problem Of Northern Rus
U. sia cries for solution. Fifty
million persons there are in danger Of
starvation. Anarchy prevails and
transportation facilities are made
oustc
States that have remained neu-
~. trail, whose imports have been
diminished or destroyed by the block
ade and the boats are to be relieved
oy relaxing the blockade.
4 The same measure probably will
VI suffice to permit a sufficient
aow of food into Germany and Austria
10 stave off anarchy and starvation
and enable a stable government to be
established.
Must Feed 10000, 900
4 am going to Europe" said Mr..
hooYer, ito discuss the further food
measures that must be organized as a
result of the cessation of hostilitics.
ne food problem in Europe to-day is
'ae OF extreme complexity. OF the
100000 population, practically only
'a'ee areas-South Russia, Hungary
sno Denmark, comprising, say, 10000,
N"-have sufficient food supplies te
s't until next harvest without i'm
nf's. Some must have immediate re-
asf.
NE have a surplus of 100000 to
~'"co,ooc tons of food If we are eco,
s,'a'eal, so the situation can be han
sa II this and the other smaller sur
f'aaes OF the world can be transported d
All Continental Europe has reduced
ss'o' and is consequently short o.
s@sS and especially fats. These coun-
's' nave had their last harvests, anc
Sl orderly governments these would
"'sh preadstuffs and vegetables TO,
Dos periods from two months up.
az depending upon the ratio Of in.
''ai populations. Something more
. .aan soo'ooo,ooo Of peoples arc now in
social disorder.
., feasants Care for Selves
- these cases, with transportation
~ financial Generalization, tho ten.
~ ISs 10 Tor peasants TO cease market.
d,s sven their surplus. Thus instan,
3's'ss svaS are projected into the cities
n. "nsn resources are available in
), r.'oh'ry The peasant and village,
europe always provides for himself
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