Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-18
HOOVER MAY TAKE HAND.
wheat Inquiry Sent to State Depart
ment Via white House.

Announcement of the Federal Farm
Board that the informal inquiry of the
Chinese governments looking toward
purchase of Sterilization wheat for the
relief of YangtSe flood sufferers had
been forwarded from the State De-
partment via the White House" gave
rise today TO reports President Hoover
intends TO take hand IN the negotia-
tions
With respect to the recent German
offer for cotton. which fell through be-
cause of unsatisfactory credit terms
the White House announced the Presi-
dent had taken no part in the matter
which was left entirely TO the Farm
Board.
At the White House, it was said, no
one there knew anything about the
Chinese inquiry Or could it be def1n-
fteiy established at the State Depart
ment that the inquiry had been sent
first TO the President before being for
waroied to the Farm Board. The Farm
Board itself was not in receipt Of It at
noon. 1t was admitted at the State
Department that a copy Of the Chinese
communication probably was sent to
the White House in case the President
wished TO see It.
Involving one of the worst famine
situations in China in recent years, It
was considered plausible in some Gov
eminent circles the President would
keep In personal touch with the over
lures for the purchas" Of American
wheat for the food sufferers. 1t is a
field in which ifis synapatf1ies and par
ticnlarly his experience naturally lie.
10e Million Bushels Seen Needed.
The Farm Board is prepared TO act
favorably on the Chinese communica-
ton. IL Is understood, il satisfactory
credit terms can be arranged
While no definite information has
been forthcoming regarding the amount
OF wheat China desires 70 purchase, 1t
is believed that at least 100000 900
bushels are involved
The board controls considerably more
than 100000 600 bushels, A great deal
OF IL already is conferred on the Pa
ciflc Coast and could be shipped readily
on short notice
It was pointed ont here TO-DAY. how
ever, that II surplus wheat we're shipped
UP the Yangt2e River the Chinese
would have to be taught how best 20
Utilize it before their hunger could b.
aliayed.
yung Kwai charge d'aTalres Of the
Chinese legation, who said he had not
been Informed officially Of the new
wheat proposal by his government,
pointed out that the Chinese people
probably wouldn't know what to DO
with the wheat If they got IT, so that
one Of the chief issues IN the transse-
tion would be the form in which the
wheat is shipped up the Yangtze
Transportation Question Simple.
The Home Economics Bureau Of the
Agriculture Department explained that
the wheat grains could be cooked into
q palatable dish similar TO rice. The
home economics experts explained the
Chinese could boil 1t Just as they do
their rice
transportation was regarded as sim
plified. The Yangtxe River. Mr., Kwai
explained, is navigable fer at least 1000
miles into Chinas interior and could
carry sea vessels that distance. Smaller
river steamers could climb another 1000
miles into the fiood-stricken area.
While the Farm Board was not in
formal session today. offlcials OF the
National Beet Growers Association were
In WASHINGTON to confer with its mem
bers on a proposed clearing house FOR
the sale and distribution of beet and
cane sugar. The beard may be asked %
assist IN financing the marketing Of
these commodities.