Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-15
Hoover Tells Idle
Europe to Work
or Go Hungry

London, Aug. 15.-Europe's stupen-
dous food problems. more serious now
I than. at any time during the war. Is
by Herbert c. Hoover, made public to-
day. 1t was originally prepared for
the allied governments, but has been
| released for publication by the British
authorities. -.
The food king" points out that a
grave catastrophe is due unless Eu-
| rope wakes up from it's "democratized
productivity"
The entire surplus productivity Of
the western hemisphere is totally in
capable of meeting the present de-
ficiency of European production If
the latter is long continued. Only
for a short period will it be possible
to supply the tremendous demand.
Credits can not be mobtlized for this
purpose for more than a short time
because all credits must necessarily
be simply an advance against COM
modities In exchange. and credits will
break down as soon as the receipt Of
such commodities by the credit-giver
becomes improbable" the statement
said.
Another War Engendered.
II credits are obtained for more
than temporary purposes, Mr. Hoover
points out. 1t would result in the
economic slavery of Europe to the
western hemsphere-the ultimate end
would be war again.
The statement of Mr. Hoover con-
tinues: " ...
'The solution lies in the vigorous
realization Of the actual situation by
every country In Europe. The Eurc-
pean population must Immediately
realize that production must be in
stantly increased
"The production Of necessities for
100000 900 people in Europe never has
been at such low ebb as it is now. Fiji
teen million families in Europe are
receiving unemployment allowances or
being paid by constant currency infla-
tion. .,.
Europe can feed only 350.000,-
900 persons-the rest must live on
imports. The chief causes Of the
fdecrease Of productivity are the
industrial and commercial democra-
tization arising originally out Of the
war, but continued during the armis-
ic relations. and, secondly, the fact
that the proper and insistent demand
by labor for higher standards Of liv-
| Ing and for a voice In the administra-
tion of industry has unfortunately be-
come impregnated with the theory that
limitation Of effort below physical ne
cessity will increase the total employ
ment or improve their conditions"
Blockade 10 Blamed.
The great relaxation OF effort fol-
lowing the excessive strain Of the
war. together with the continuation
| OF the blockade. which has destroyed
private enterprise even in the open
countries. the shortage of OVERSEE
! ! transportation. strikes and the Ear
mistice. are the underlying causes OF
the, present unemployment, stacna-
ton and absorption OF capital in con-
sumable commodities thruout Europe,
according to Mr.. Hoover. He contin-
ues:
"Unless productivity is rapidly In
creased there will be nothing but po-
litical. moral and economic chaos.
finally resulting In loss Of life hith-
erto undreamed Of.
"The cardinal effort Of European
statesmen must be to secure mate-
rails and tools to labor and secure
the return to work-Nb itever the
economic theory or politif Il cry, there
must be maximum Individual effort.
for there Is no margin III surplus pro-
|ductivity to risk revolutionary exper-
)tynent atfon1