Evening star., 1940-12-11
Food for Europe
'0penQuestion,'
Hull Comments
Procope Sees Nothing
To Bur American
Aid to FinIund
(Tert OF Lothian Statement on
Page A-S.)

A plainly statement by
the British Ambassador in Wash
ington that American relief organ
izations would not be permitted to
ship supplies this winter to German
occupied democracies in Europe
brought comment today from Secre-
tary of State Hull and from Finnish
Minister Hjalmar Procope.
Mr.. Hull indicated at his press
conference that the issue of relief
for Europe is still an open question
so far as the United States Govern
ment is concerned, despite the
British announcement that its
blockade would hold.
The Finnish Minister told news
papermen that his country was
badly in need of help" and pointed
out there was nothing in the British
statement which would bar Ameri-
can assistance to Finland.
The discussion was touched of by
a statement issued by Lord Lothian
at the British Embassy, which ap-
parently dashed the plans of former
President Hoover and others to send
relief to Europe's sick and hungry
millions.
Responsibility Held Reich's.
The responsibility for feeding the
people of occupied countries rests
with Germany, the British Ambas-
Sador said.
In commenting at his press con-
ference today Secretary Hull said
that the United States has been and
still is disposed to listen sympa-
thetically to the needs of distressed
people.
He suggested that the next step
for private individuals interested in
alleviating the European food crisis
would be to approach the German
government and determine its atti-
tude.
The question of relief for Italy
which the Agriculture Department
said 10 days ago was facing a food
problem-was also raised at the
State Department press conference.
Mr.. Hull said any move of this sort
would be preceded by a check on the
facts.
The Secretary said that the Amer
lean Government would adhere to its
policy Of being sympathetic to suf-
fering people in all parts of the
world. He specifically mentioned
Finland in this connection.
Finland Not Occupied.
The Finnish Minister had sum-
moned newspapermen to the Lega-
ton earlier to tell them that his
country was badly in need of help"
He said that Finlands position was
somewhat different from other small
democracies which have been in
volved in the European war. The
country is not occupied by any for
eign garrisons, he pointed out. At
the same time, he pledged that any
of the badly needed goods which the
Firms received would be used only by
the people Of that country.
"Yon can be absolutely certain
that nothing will get into wrong
hands" he said.
Finland's commerce with the
Western World has been shut of,
Mr.. Procope pointed out; the harvest
was poor this year and the country
has not recovered from the ravages
OF invasion. He compared the coun-
try's needs to 1919, when Americans
sent 100000 for the relief of
Finland.
Food, Medicines Needed.
The little country needs fats,
cereals, dried fruit, medical supplies
and clothing, he pointed out. These
can be shipped on Finnish boats to
the Arctic port of Petsamo, which is
open all the year. The goods will be
Immediately used by Firms, he said.
There is no doubt that Finland
is in a particular position" he said.
"She is not invaded nor occupied
and there are no foreign garrisons in
the country"
He said he was glad that those
working on the Hoover drive had
distinguished between Finland and
the other countries. The British
statement, he pointed out, made no
mention of Finland and he said he
(See FOOD, Page A-50