The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-15
Conditions in Central Europe

written Dy LIZ. AlOnZO II. Lay ioA eAAist
published in the current issue of the
American Relief Administration bull
letin, gives some clear contrast between
the situation in Central Europe year
ago and today. DIR. Taylor writes:
"A comparison of conditions in the
countries of Central Europe under
ministration by the American Relief
Administration in the spring of 1921 as
contrasted with those of a year prev
iously affords ground for the belief
that economic amelioration Is slowly
being achieved. Improvement in ag-
riculture is to be observed in every
country. The crops in Poland, Gee
cho- Sloyakia, Austria, Hungary and In
the East Baltic states viii. if harvest
ed as forecasted, cover the bread re-
quirements in each country except
Austria
THE count of sheep, goats and swine
has been materially increased in each
country. Pork is becoming relatively
a common good again. Increase in
cattle and in work animals, naturally,
proceeds much more slowly. Improve
ment in the milk supply is not pro-
nounced, due in part to scarcity of
protein foods. Under these circum-
stances all of the named countries, ex-
cept Austria, will be in position dur
ing the coming crop year of requiring
far lower imports Of foodstuffs than
was the case last year. This will en-
able them to devote more of their pur-
chasing power to the importation of
raw materials
Quite as encouraging as the increase
of acreage and the forecasted crops
of cereals are the beginnings of legal
free trade in foodstuffs. It is to be
hoped that these countries will be in
a position to decontro1 cereals and
bread next year. This may not even
tuate for Austria, but decontrol rep
resents the policies of the food con-
trollers of the other countries. Free
trade in food stuffs means larger
amounts of the crop made available
for distribution, higher prices for the
producer, lower prices for the con-
sumner and reestabIishment of that
fluidity in the markets which is one
of the most crying needs of Europe.
Improvement is also to be noted in
way service has improved both for
passengers and freight. Industries are
now able to count on transportation
in their programs of production. Coal
is relatively easy in Central Europe;
compared to the conditions of a year
ago there is almost q glue of coal
Prices are lower and there is consid-
erable free coal in the market. This
is not due to marked increase in pro-
duction or to notable decrease in con-
sumption. 1t is due to a return to
sanity in coal trade. People no longer
hoard coal, try to build up reserves
or indulge in the frenzied speculations
characteristic of the coal market last
year.
The shops display a wider assort-
ment of goods of all kinds, drawn from
a wider circle of markets Bills of
exchange tend to circulate and flow
much more naturally than a year ago.
In the operation of industries one OBJ
serves now more evidence of the cost
sheet and fewer signs of experiment
tation. To a most gratifying extent the
people of Central Europe are return
thrifty saving. They have long ways
to go but they are headed in the right
direction.
''From the standpoint OF food, con-
ditions are better; from the stand
point of clothing, they are worse. The
children that have been fed during
the past year display Improvement so
marked that casual visitors often make
the comment, 'YThose children don't
look starving to me- In other words
are expressed the highest praise of the
operation Of the American relief adj
ADMINISTRATION. These children do not
looked starved because our admins
tration has been successful. If we had
failed starvation would be rampant
in the childhood of these countries. For
the coming months we plan to give
special attention to the needs for cloth
ing and hope by adequate provision
during the summer to have our deliv-
cries so well under way by autumn
that a great many of these children
will go into the next winter more
warmly clad than they came out of
the last winter.
The efficient and amicable coop
GRAFTON between the officials of the
American relief administration and
the government officials of the coun-
tries concerned continued unimpaired |
The attitude of the public remains
what it has always been, one of graf |
itude and faith"