Evening star., 1941-01-29
European Nations
Facing Starvation,
Hoover Declares
Says Food Is Needed
Urgently in Struggle
For Liberty
By HERBERT HOOVER.

small democracies survived to help
restore the tradition of liberty in
Europe.
Humans, no matter how coura-
eeous and idealiStic, cannot be ener-
gized without food-and food is def
nitely lacking in Finland Norway,
Holland Belgium and Central Po-
land. Confederation of this keeps
pouring into the Office of the Ma
tional Committee on Food for the
Small Democracies, of which 1 am
honorary chairman, at 420 Lexing-
ton avenue, New York City.
Malnutrition imperilS these coun-
tries, pushing them toward actual
starvation while pestilence stalks in
the background. Disease respects no
boundaries, fulfills no truce obli-
cations, and slays ruthlessly.
Import Much of FOOdstuffs.
To comprehend the situation
clearly, one must reflect that under
normal conditions these nations
we're compelled to import much Of
their foodstuffs. Belgium imported
49 per cent; Holland, 33 per cent,
and Norway, 81 per cent. Today,
Central Poland is from 80 to 40
per cent deficient because of trl-
partition by Germany and Russia.
Its northern neighbor, Finland, not
occupied, but partially blockaded.
normally imported % per cent of
its food.
Finland has now lost to Russia
one-tenth of its best agricultural
soil. This has been a bitter winter
In Europe. Crop paintings, dis
organized by mobilization and in
vasion, have been damaged by ab-
normal weather-meaning that the
next harvest will be inadequate.
A few days ago 1 received cabled
plea from Norway, signed by II
prominent citizens. I quote but a
single sentence: SPEEDY action is
necessary if lasting harm to the
health of the present young genera
ton is to be avoided There is the
cruX of the matter. No physically
handicapped generation may be ex-
pected to bring order out of sham
bles and chaos.
Report From Belgium.
Consider the plight of Belgium.
Early in January I detached three
famine relief experts from other
work in Europe, to serve as an Amer
lean commission for investigating
food conditions in that country. To-
day I received their cabled report.
The present theoretical daily ration
for each person in Belgium consists
of one-half pound of bread, two and
one-third ounces of fats and meats,
one and One-half ounces of sugar,
about one and one-tenth pounds of
potatoes and half an ounce of beans
and peas. The entire food value of
this ration is about one-half its
equivalent in England and Ger
many. Breadstuft supplies for main
tanning this meager ration will be
exhausted by February IS.
Normally Belgium imports 65 per
cent of its breadstuffs and the last
bread grain crop was only two
thirds of normal size. Ny investi-
gators cabled report ends with
Situation is serious. Outside help
urgently needed One thing is
plain. Major food supplies for Bel
gium will be non-existent in one
more month. And this means literal
starvation - unless supplies are
brought in from somewhere.
Not only the food situation. but
the mental attitude of these democ-
racies would be transformed with
unloading of the first cargo of
American food. Instantly they
would feel marooned no longer.
Their moral fibre would be strength
ened, they would dream of a day
when the sun of liberty would shine
again. Who can blame these cour-
ageous countries for feeling de-
serted? And how can we of the
United States, a Christian Nation,
remain silent while millions of in
nocent persons suffer? They are of
our ideahstic kin. We must keep
them sturdily alive.
World War Plight.
Terrible events have crowded
recollection of what happened in
Belgium during the first World War.
After the German Army overran
that country, in 1914, Great Britain
declined the United States offer of
relief for the invaded territory
Later, with misgivings, Britain per-
mitted relief to be begun, with the
result that Mr.. Lloyd George, Prime
Minister, described it as "of ineSti-
mable value" and the British gov
eminent officially announced, "this
food reaches the Belgians and the
French, and reaches them alone"
Our National Committee does not
ask for an American dollar, a pound
of foodstuff, or vessels to carry car
goes through blockade waters. What
we seek is a gift within the means
Of every one-Wlllingness to study
the matter and discuss 1t intelli-
gently. Frank discussion in times of
crisis Is wholesome American tradi-
ton.
Here Is our plan;
If Great Britain consents to pass
relief ships. one by one. through its
blockade, all vessels will fly the f1ae
of a neutral commission. No single
shipment will exceed 100000 tons
and relief will end abruptly with the
first instance of seizure. All food.
stuffs would be paid for by the ma
ton who received them, and only
surplus food would be shipped
Should there be no food shortag,
here, supplies would be purchased
in South America
Details of this plan are based upon
unforgettable experiences during
the first World War. I know the
stanchness of small nations while
being hammered on the anvil of bat
tie. have watched people clinging
desperately to faith In ideals of free
dom. But also I have seen under
nourished bodies wear down the
stoutest hearts. This is happenin.
now in our five little sister nations
Unless food reaches them soon
Americans will live to regret theil
evasion of responsibility.
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