Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1918-12-06
NO RAT|OM|NC HERE
TO FEED GERMANS
FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY FOR
MER ENEMY HAS EIGHT
MONTHS SUPPLY.

NumOTS circulated during tne past
few days that the American people |
might be compelled to continue on a
wartime food basis, to feed Ger
many, aren't sanctioned by Herbert
Hoover, national food administrator.
There is no question about our 60
was the declaration Hoover made the
other day as he was about to sail for
Europe. Incidentally, Hoover may
now be called world food administra-
tor Not by mouthful of food, he
intimated, are Americans to deprive
themselves for Germany. He con-
tinued:
1--WE are not worrying about Ger
many. She can take care of herself.
What we are worrying about are the
little allies who have been under the
German yoke. They are faced by
famine. We must give them help
and lose no time in doing it.
I'VE shall not relieve Germany.
Her food question for us is merely
question of lifting the blockade so
that they can get food for them
selves. There is furore on this ques-
ton of our feeding Germany here,
but we shall not do anything OF the
kind. The Germans will have to take
care of themselves. Our interest is
not in supplying them.
II am going to Europe to discuss
the further food measures that must
be organized as a result of the cessa-
ton of hostilities. EurOpe's food
problem today is one of extreme COM
plexity. OF the 42O,0O0,000 people.
practically only three areas-South
Russia, Hungary and Denmark, COM
prising only 4O,OOO,000-have sufa-
cient food supplies to last until the
next harvest without imports. Some
must have immediate relief.
1--WE have a surplus of 100000
or 100000 tons of food"
| Furthermore, in the almost hys-
terical appeals of the German provi-
sional government for supplies OF
food and for permission to address
itself directly through, commission
to the American public, officials OF
the United States government see
purpose to excite the sympathies OF
large element of the American popu-
lation more or less connected by
blood ties with Germany. With such
lsympathies aroused the German gov
eminent, it was said, undoubtedly
hopes to influence the approaching
peace conference towards leniency.
Such appeals as those which have
been sent by wireless by DR.. Solf.
German foreign secretary, to Secre-
Itary Lansing were said to be quite
unnecessary and not likely to have
any beneficial results. President Will
son already has promised to do every
thing possible to prevent suffering
among the civil population OF the
conquered states.
The entente powers have Endorsed
this attitude, not so much from con-
siderations of mercy or sympathy
with the foe as from genuine con-
viction that a starving and desperate
people would make dangerous neigh
bors, render any satisfactory peace
impossible and by appeals to the in
ternationalist spirit endanger the Sc
curity of the entente countries them
selves. The design of the conserva-
tive elements in the entente states Is
understood to be to avoid raising any
new issues that would aggravate
these conditions.
1t is known officially that there Is
sufficient food in Germany to meet
immediate needs. The supreme war
council is planning to supply food in
the future and before the present
stocks are exhausted, assuming the
exercise of economy in food distribu-
ton.
To correct what appears to be
general public misunderstanding on
the subject, it may be authoritativeiy
stated that none of this food to De
sent from America to Germany or
Austria will be given away. 1t must
be paid for by the governments OF
those countries.