Evening star., 1941-03-16
FOresees British Food Blockade
1ntegrating Europe Under Nazis
Refusal to Let Driblets of Food Through Tends
to Make Peoples More Dependent on
Germany, Says Writer
By Felix Morley.

cluded. The application of this blockade
to foodstuffs is only part of the picture,
although in every sense a vital part.
General blockade pressure, evenly and
vigorously applied, will produce "deteri-
oration' which may be accelerated by
bombing and by continuous series of
haraSsing attacks at points conveniently
accessible to British seapower."
Analysis Weakens Argument.
Mr.. Clarkes argument IS, of course,
that of the British government, developed
for American consideration in somewhat
greater length and detail than the Off
cial statements of the Foreign Office.
Because of its authoritative character, it
deserves close eXamination-the PAM
phlet may be obtained gratis from the
British Library of Information at Rookie
feller PlaZa-and equally close analysis.
The latter process is likely to lead to
the conclusion that while the argument
is far from "imbecilic," it is none the less
fundamentally illogical. Almost in the
same breath Mr. Clarke argues that the
blockade plus bombing can completely
diSorganize German transport and then
says that there need be no starvation in
the occupied areas because the Germans
could assuredly provide the necessary
transport +++ to relieve local shortages"
Similarly, it is said that, while the
German food reserves are swollen by
loot from the conquered peoples the
''drahnocc Of tho Hiotf in ic he
coming increasingly unsuitable for an
overWorked people whose nerves are
strained by continuous air attack" Either
food shortage is or is not serious in Ger
many-Mr. Clarke seems to argue both
ways. But in either case driblets of
nouriShment for the occupied areas cam
not materially affect the situation.
Unfortunately. neither Mr.. Clarke nor
any other advocate of total blockade can
satisfactorily reconcile the underlying
dilemma it presents. BY applying an
iron grip equally applicable to all terri
tory under German control. total block
ade tends to force this entire area into
one mold and to make the subjected peo-
pies not less, but more dependent upon
German leadership and direction.
Hoover Plan Would Counteract.
The strategy of Mr. Hoovers commit
tee would tend to counteract the grave
risk which is inherent in British policy.
1t would in no way interfere with the
blockade, except in respect to small ship
ments OF essential foodstuffs to the oc-
cupied areas.
1t would provide for a matching food
contribution from Germany, which
would reduce, not increase, German food
reserves. 1t would be supervised and
operated in such a manner that pilfer-
ing would be all but impossible. Only
one food ship at a time would proceed
to Europe and relief stocks available in
the occupied area at any moment would
be so small that, even if guarantees were
violated. the consequent termination of
the agreement would make the gain to
the Germans wholly inconsiderable.
British acceptance of such a plan
would alter the whole emphasis in the
occupied areas. 1t would end situation
whereby elf-preservation depends on
close cooperation with Germany. 1t
would effectively support the argument
that the long range interest of the peo-
pie in the invaded democracies lies with
Great Britain and the United States
1t would save hundreds of thousands
of lives which, if not yet destroyed by
starvation, are certainly being irrev-
ocably stunted and deformed by under
nourishment. And, in the long run, it
would strengthen resistance to Ger
man overlordShip which, as capitulation
in the Balkans indicates, is now steadily
growing weaker
The best interest of the United States
does not lie in the complete collapse in
the occupied territories which unqual-
ified maintenance of the food blockade
seeks to produce. As the lend-leaSe law
goes into operation, the British govern
ment can very reasonably be asked by
President Roosevelt to review the doubt
full position it has taken on essential
relief, for the helpless victims of German
aggression.