Evening star., 1941-02-19


London toward the matter of feed
ing the people who live in France,
Holland, Belgium and the con-
quered areas of Europe.
The answer that Great Britain
does not approve, which is accepted
by so many people as sufficient for
turning down the Hoover plan, is
really not an answer at all. For
next door to France, food is being
sent to Spain to feed Gen. Frances
people. Why is the British blockade
relaxed there? Because it is to the
diplomatic interests of the British
war policy to do so.
Problem of Morale.
This merely means that Great
Britain does not withhold food from
the is-dominated areas because of
9 belief that the food might fall into
German hands, but because it is not
considered strategically desirable to
let the food through the blockade at
this time. 1t is not a military, but
a morale problem.
On matters of this kind, opinions
will differ and the wisdom or un-
wisdom of British policy with re-
spect to ways and means of bolster
ing or undermining the morale of
peoples in the areas under Hitler'S
yoke becomes open to debate.
It is not surprising that the one
man in the world who has had a
vast experience with feeding large
numbers of people in the last war
should be today the staunCheSt ad-
vocate of food relief. 1t is more sur
prising that what was permitted in
the last war is not tolerated in this
war though everybody knows the
food sent to occupied Belgium in the
last war did not reach the German
military forces or prevent the Ger
man defeat.
May Affect Outcome.
The problem is not simply hu-
manitarian burden of the most stu
pendous sort. 1t is a problem of
strategy which may affect the out
come of the war itself.
Would the war come to a quicker
end if peoples in the occupied
areas starved? Is it thought that
resistance is increased when men
are hungry. or will it happen that |
the occupied peoples will find them !
selves boWing to the conquerors and /
giving up the instrument OF passive
which has been so power
fUl in past history?
Mr.. Hoover has launched a simple |
plan He would try an experiment /.
and ample safeguards would be pro-
vlded 10 prevent the food from fall
ing into the hands of the Nazis. The |
establishment of soup kitchens so
that food would be consumed on the |
spot under the observation of Amer
lean inspectors is itself an adequate
safeguard.
officials of the Department of
State here properly refrained from
being a party to the approaches
which former President Hoover made
to the German and British govern
ments relative to his experimental
plan. Mr.. Hoover complied with the
statutes in that he clearly presented
the idea as an unofficial undertaking
and not in any way sponsored by the
American Government.
Took Direct Approach.
There was no other effective way
apparently to forward the cause of
humanity than by a direct approach
to the British and German govern
ments. Nor is there any likelihood
of relief for the starving millions
of Europe unless British public
opinion is changed by American
opinion. What will change the
British view? Only a belief that
the sending of food will hasten
rather than delay a German defeat |
The British thus far have not |
been as alert to the possibilities |
of keeping the former democratic |
peoples as potential source of |
strength when British sea power |
and air power gain the ascendancy. !
Ill will engendered today on the
continent of Europe will complicate
Britain's problem when she counts
on reorganized population to help
carry on the war alongside a Brit
ish invading force
The British leaders are stalking
all on the idea of a rigid blockade, !
but in fact they are making diff
culties for themselves for the fu-
ture For in the event that the
submarine blockade Of England
should become effective. the cry
will come to America to find a way
to keep the sea lanes open so as
to feed the British people. From a
humanitarian standpoint, there Is
as much reason for feeding one
population as another
Nazis Have Food Sources.
The outcome of the present war
does not depend on the effectiveness
of food blockade because there are
plenty of sources of food for the
Nazis themselves. The war will be
won by naval and air power COM
bined and by the side with the
stronger civilian morale. Hence, II