Evening star., 1940-06-21
War Orders Broaden;
Struggle for Food
Seen Ahead
British Spending Rote
May Climb Above
$4,000, 900 a Day
BY PAUL ID. GESNER,
Associated Press Business Writer.

SS~
BY PAUL ID. GESNER,
Associated Press Business Writer.
NEW YORK, June 21.-British
purchasing agents here may before
Labor Day be digging deeply into
their third billion dollars Of funds
available for buying war supplies in
the United States II the war con-
tinues its present furious pace, it
was learned today.
The war is less than 10 months
old, yet already British war supply
orders, plus past French business,
aggregate well over a billion and a
half dollars.
Moreover, the speed of purchases
the past fortnight has accelerated
sharply, lending belief British war
supply contracts before the end of
summer may be averaging over $10,-
100000 day.
Buying Broadens.
British spending here started out
last fall heavily concentrated on air.
planes and plane parts. While the
bulk of United Kingdom war orders
still are for armaments, a much
wider variety of goods is now being
taken, contrasted with early pur-
chases. Today the British are order
ing not only planes and aircraft ac-
cessories, but ammunition. explo-
sives, chemicals, automotive equip
ment and other military goods on a
broad scale. More steel is also being
taken.
The story of British steel pur-
chases here is the story of the pro-
gress of the war. Last September
Britain pursued the policy of using
dollar funds only for the war sup
plies the colonies, commonwealths
and dominions had neither the time
nor the facilities to produce.
The result was that at first Brit
ish cargo liners backed away from
American piers laden with much
scrap and pig iron.
AS the war intensified, takings of
scrap and pig metal were augmented
by purchases of semifinishel steels.
Now, it is indicated, finished steels
of many types are being sought,
largely because the new danger of
invasion of England puts a pre-
MUM on British man power. At the
moment, men in uniform are de-
sired above men in steel mills. The
bigger the shipments of finished
steels, the fewer the men that will
be needed in United Kingdom
foundries and finishing plants.
Food Orders Expected.
AS yet Britain has taken only
small shipments of foodstuffs from
United States sources. There may
be widened food purchases, how
ever, later on.
Germany can win victories on
oil, but she could lose the war on
food" a banker suggested. There
will be hungry people in Europe this
winter if the war is still going. Ger
man success at holding dominated
nationaIties will depend largely On
food supplies. Hunger breeds dis
content"
Distinct. yet irrevocably linked
with the European war OF men and
machines is the coming. struggle for
food. Europe's grain crop, accord
ing to estimates, will be to Is per
cent smaller this year than last. due
to Cd fewer men in agriculture ac-
companying expanding of military
forces, CD the severe winter cold
that damaged. sometimes killed
seedlings and CD spring rains which
washed away some grain plants.
Here's the grain picture abroad,
gathered by private experts:
British Isles-Need wheat from
import sources, as always, despite
expanded domestic acreage; good
import supplies available in Canada,
Australia, the United States and
Argentina. Faces no food shortage
If shipping lanes are kept open.
May take Canadian flour heavily to
free home mill workers for military
service.
Germany i Has sufficient home
supplies of wheat, due to heavy do
mestic production and consumption
OF rye; also uses potato -four
widely in place of wheat flour.
France, Holland, Belgium, Nor
way, Denmark - These German
dominated countries during the
coming year are expected to need
around 20O,0O0,000 bushels of wheat
more than they produce.
Italian Crop Sufficient.
Italy-Domestic crop expected to
be sufficient to cover coming years
home needs.
Spain-Needs wheat because of
loss of machines, shortage of seeds,
and destruction of arabic land by
the long civil war; agricultural pro-
duction still under pre-civil war
Gays. Has import sources in Argen-
tina and United States, but is hav-
ing difficulty with credit arrange
mentS.
The Balkan countries-Known as
the dread basket" of Europe, the
Balkan area is reporting good
wheat stand, although floods earlier
in the year hit plants in many places.
The Rumanian spring wheat crop,
while small in comparison to winter
crop plant, is reported good, with
weather favorable.
Russia-Spring wheat planting
delayed by heavy rains, but weather
now reported good. Russian wheat
production unknown, but a fair ex-
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