The sun., 1919-06-01
PREVENT Big FAMINE
PLEA OF 7. E. WILSON
Calls on L. s. to Aid Germany,
Austria and the Bal
kan States.
SUFFERING Is INTENSE
Packer, Back From Europe,
Says Allies and Neutrals
Are Affected Also.

Thomas z. Wilson, president OF Will
son a Co.. Chicago packers, returned
from Europe yesterday on the Rotter-
dam more than ever convinced that 1t
n up TO America to save the Continental
world from starvation. He spent two
months investigating food conditions in
the allied, neutral and enemy countries.
"There is no doubt in my mind" he
said. that there Is a famine of fats and
meats In Germany, Austria and the
Balkan States and a very grave short
age of such foods in the allied coun-
tries. The Central Powers had to
slaughter substantially all their live
stock in order to maintain their armies
IN lighting condition and that their civil
population might survive.
THE seriousness of the situation Is
dearly shown by the results OF a super
hcial survey of an area of 1900 miles
In occupied German territory regarded
as part of the best agricultural section Of
the country. In that area there are
100 horses, 1900 cattle and 1900 hogs
less than one horse, one and one-half
cattle and one hog a square mile.
THE COWS are worked in the fields or
cannot be spared for meat There is a
great shortage of milk. This Is an indi-
cation of the condition existing largely
through the Central Powers. They have
not live stock enough to breed 80 that
they may again build up their herds,
even II no cattle were used for irmedi-
ate food emergencies.
The same condition exists to a lesser
degree in the allied and neutral coun-
tries, where because of the very high
prices realized for fats and meats and
because OF the lack OF cattle feeds herds
have been reduced TO a minimum. 1t
win be long time before they can fully
supply their own requirements. SO their
suffering neighbors will get little help
from them.
Solution of ProbIem Ii In U. 9.
''The problems Of the American people
In this grave situation are many and
the responsibilities are tremendous. I
believe the solution rests large with US
No country in the world to-day is 80 well
equipped to meet the situation.
The American farmer must undertake
Tor humanity's sake the production OF
grain and meat animals to the maximum.
In doing 50 he Is serving civilization and
himself. The markets of the world are
his II the situation otherwise Is intelli-
gently handled.
Some basis Of credit must be worked
out, different from anything now exist
ing. Many Of the foreign countries can
not maintain a gold basis and we must
share In solving this problem. Above
all, America must approach this tasR
with solid front-the farmer. the la
bcrer. capital and government as well
as industry generally must honestly
earnestly and seriously cooperate, other
f, wise failure Is certain
we must not lose sight OF the fact
that Industry OF America has a worthy
competitor in Great Britain. She nat
urally, and l might say justly watches
our every move with jealous eye ana
IL ready to take any fair advantage 70
herself or her colonies. Too much am
munition has already been furnished
her. unfortunately, by some of our gov
eminent agencies, which, owing to the
temperament Of the British people, are
accepted at their face value and are
used to our disadvantage In the Eng
lish markets.
an this respect I think President
wilson's message. which I read as
was leaving Europe, most appropriate
Particularly commendable are his
words:
Government should make IL easy
for American merchants TO go where
they will be welcomed as friends rather
than as dreaded antagonists
Army of Occupation Is Well Fed.
Mr.. Wilson reported the American
Army of Occupation as being IN splendid
spirits and we'll fed. Many of our SOL
diers were sharing their food with
women and children.
Great work has been done by the
American organization over there" he
added, land much credit Is due them,
especially Mr.. Hoover. for his untiring
efforts to relieve distress. Without this
relief am satisfied the conditions when
known would have shocked the civilized
world Unfortunately no definite plans
have been perfected for the continuation
of this wonderful work. and without II
or adequate plans to assist these people
until they can begin to help themselves
the results will be more appalling than
the war itself"
Before Mr.. Wilson went abroad he
promised the superintendent OF his farm
at Lake Forest to find IL possible the
grave of the superintendent's son, Robert
Glenn Dickson, a marine who fell at
Beleau Wood. The parents were noti-
ned last June that their son was
wounded and had no further word until
February, when they were informed of
his death. They could not md out
where he died or was buried
Mr.. Wilson. with Arthur Leonard,
president of the Union Stock Yards, and
Robert Hunter, Chicago business man.
searched through cemeteries where
found Dickson's grave. Mr.. Wilson had
II marked with headstone and footstons
and is taking home a photograph of it
for the bows parentS