Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-21
DELEGATIONS -.
ARE STUDYING
FOOD PROBLEM
Other Economic Questions
Taken Up by Separate
Boards in Paris.

Paris, Jan. 21.-(By The Associat-
ed Press. Slowing to pressure of
more urgent problems before dele
gates to the peace congress-, various
economic delegations are studying,
each for itself, the blockade and kin
dred subjects. 1t is probable they
will inaugurate joint discussions dur-
ing the coming week.
The American viewpoint contem-
plates a certain relaxation Of the
earlier "watertight" blockade. which
would allow the entry of foodstuffs,
lubricants and other materials into
enemy countries. This, it is held,
would permit the restoration Of dis
tributing systems, -four mills and 9TH
er agencies involved in the prepara-
ton of food supplies. The blockade,
however, would otherwise be as rigid
~ enforced as ever because Of its
value as a weapon to force the enemy
to accept the peace terms that will
be presented.
The relaxation of the blockade as
regards foodstuffs is already effective
in a portion of the former Hapsburg
domains. Food is being sent into vi
emma as well as to CELEBRATED regions"
and will be supplied to Germany UNI
der n terms of the armistice extern
sion agreement signed at Treves last
Friday. e.
American experts are said to. believe
that babbitt metal for, bearings,
lubricants, repair parts for locomo-
tlVes and -four mills and other articles
falri in virtually the same category as
fo~odstuffs, since it is obvious the
enemy countries have no adequate ia
cilities for milling -four and distribut-
ing food after it is imported.
Relaxation for Raw Materials.
Some American economics experts
advocate for enemy countries, at least
Austria-Hungary and possibly Ger
many, a further relaxation Of the
blockade to permit the importation of
limited quantities of raw materials.
Ihese imports. however, would not be
enough to permit the Central movers
to resume international commercial
competition while the Allied countries
are still laboring under the handicap
or the devastation Of their chief in
dustrial regions, the spoilation of in
austrial plants, the transformation of
Inc .great bulk of their remaining fac
tories INTO war plants and the absence
OF industrial laborers who are still
under arms.
The manufacture of textiles. for ex-
ample, is urgently required to meet
the needs of enemy populations and
the production of other materials is
neld to be absolutely indispensable,
This would, it is said, facilitate relief
measures and alleviate conditions Of
unemployment upon which Bolshe-
vfsm thrives, particularly in Hungary.
While proper safeguards will be
needed to bar any possibility of ex-
porting goods at the enormous prices
now paid for clothing and articles of
household consumption, it is felt that
the pressure OF public opinion in
enemy countries will be SUFFICIENT to
keep goods at home for many months,
The problem Of trade restrictions
on reutrals as a part of he enemy
blockade, Is also under consideration.
There is a disposition in American
quarters to permit expectation Of
most raw materials used in industries
In such quantities as are required 70
meet the demands Of home consumn-
ton. This demand will, it ts said.
largely prevent serious exports from
neutrals to adjacent enemy coun-
tries.
This problem, however, is compli-
Gated by the question of possible COM
petition between neutrals rand the
handicapped entente belligerents be-
lore the latter are completely re-
stored to, their ante -bellum eficiency.
It is urged by Representatives. Of va.
rious Allied and associated govern
ments, that IT would be unfairsto give
'neutrals undue facilities toMSsdsh ii
and seize world trade while the en-
tente b~elligerents are unable to com.
pete on equal terms.
American representatives believe II
- understood that 1t ia quite feasible