New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
$50 Millions
ToFeedEurope
Asked by Glass
Treasury Secretary Requests
Authority of Congress to
Advance Money Out of
Wheat Guaranty Fund
Three Chief Sufferers
Poland, Austria and Armenia
Face Starvation; Look to
America as Only Hope
Ne,r York Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureun

1UIY-k ia SAG (AA4 A1ONN
Ne,c York Tribune
Washington Bureum
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-Unless the
limited States supplies Austria, Poland
md Armenia with s15o.ooo. 900 worth of
soodstufs within the next few months
millions of people in those countries
r;Il face actual starvation and the
snancial fabric of Europe will be en-
dangered.
This was the b1rden of q letter to
the House Ways and Means Committee
to-day from Secretary Glass of the
Treasury Department, urging imme-
date action by. Congress to mea. the
,;tuation. The Secretary suggested
tha. the end sought be accomplished
through the establishment of credits
by the United States Grain Corpora
tion. which has at its call the s1,6OO,-
100000 wheat guaranty fund given it
by Congress to keep up the price of
wheat. He made it clear that he does
aot expect rise in food prices to ac-
company such action.
Poland needs s50,00o,0OO worth of
grain; Austria, 100000 In food
tufts, Armenia, 81 ,000, 900 of flour. and
OI
Germany may require 100000 worth
o. food Mr.. Glass said.
In his letter, Secretary Glass gave
shs committee a summary of official
sdvices regarding the food situation
IN Eurone. He said that 100000 tons
Of grain would be the minimum re-
quirement to feed Poland until the
next harvest, about October l.
America Only Hope of Poland
poland is at present living under a
handto-mouth regime, which can be
remedied only by steady flow of i'm
ports from the only available surplus
stocks OF food, namely, those in the
United States" said the Secretary.
The potato crop of Poland which is
the staple food Of the poorer classes.
has been destroyed by frosts to the
extent OF so per cent in many districts,
As 1t is impossible properly to care for
potatoes in transit, due to delays in
transportation.
poland has been unable" continued
the Secretary's letter, "to procure cloth
ing since the beginning of the war. and
the result is that during the last five
yeali practically all clothing has been
worn out and has not yet been replaced.
The food situation in Poland is so Sc
rious that the European children's relief
fund has felt obliged to loan Poland
small quantities of flour from the stocks
intended for child feeding"
In Austria, Mr.. Glass said, "the acute
misery and suffering are probably
greater than in Poland" adding that
the situation in Vienna "has become
exceedingly grave, due to the shortage
Of coal and food" He explained that
eriy -tnn+hc IF
ulan state is self-supporting in food
Production.
There is every Indication" wrote
the Secretary, that unless some relief
is afforded Immediately, the population
cannot withstand the strain of condi-
tons that are already we'll nigh in
tnlerable. Coal and food rations are
'nestlc consumption have been re-
duced below a safety minimum, and it
Is only 4 question of days before ex-
lstlng stocks will be exhausted when
even The present reduced rations will
become impossible unless new supplies
are chained
All western Europe Endangered
hat the effect of a general social
breakdown in Austria would be, of
course, can only be conjectured. That
It would be confined to Austria. how
ever. seems highly improbable, and if it
spread 10 Germany, Poland and possibly
az Evrope the result would be no less
tnan general disintegration of politi-
esl cohesion in Western Europe
Referring to Armenia, Mr.. Glass said
the winter will see many deaths unless
adequate food, medical supplies and
clothing are received from outside
sources; minimum program of 900
IONS of -four, with other necessities.
smountlng IN all to 100000 monthly,
Will De required to meet the situation,
sno II deliveries are not maintained
after the severe winter weather sets
IN, Mr. Glass adds, orphanages will
close and great numbers Of deaths will
result
!, norman Davis, assistant Secretary Of
ne Treasury. appeared personally be-
tore the committee to support Mr.
1lass's letter. "The United States has
surplus Of food and is the only ma
son that can prevent the famine" said
vi. DAVIS. Great Britain in a formal
aose to the United States has promised
q coope rate to the full extent Of it's
ssoii1sy, which probably will be mainly
q z supplying ships 70 transport the
ieod, as the United Kingdom. France
saa italy have loaned Austria 8,000,-
sse The condition in Austria is so
aesperate that she is willing to mort
ssge ner forests, the tobacco monopoly,
Ms water power facilities and even the
Eieesion OF customs to obtain food.
re treasury does rot believe customs
'a0uld be taken, because it would cause
Bfe4s delay TO economic renahi litatinr !"