Evening star., 1941-05-27
Ber|e Says Germany
Denies Responsibility
To Feed Conquered
Nutrition Conference
Told Stand Puts U. S.
In Difficult Position
By THOMAS r. HENRY.


Germany has stated authorita-
lively" that she has no RESPONSE
bility for feeding the populations of
her conquered territories and will
take any supplies existing in Europe
as she needs them, Assistant Secre-
tary of State Adolf A. Berle, jr., told
the National Nutrition Conference
for Defense at the Mayf1ower Hotel
this morning.
In view of this information, Mr..
Berle said, the United States Is
placed in an almost impossible posi-
tion so far as supplying food for the
European continent, where distress
Is already rampant, is concerned.
There is always the possibility that
it will increase rather than alleviate
distress. At the same time, he said,
this country recognizes fully its duty
to humanity.
He revealed for the first time that
shiploads of food not only have been
sent to unoccupied France, but to
some of the French colonies and,
most surprising of all. that arrange
ments have been made to send two
shiploads of food to Ireland, where
1t was not known tnat there was
any real distress. Food supplies
were on the way to Greece when it
was invaded, he said.
Blockade Not Chief Difficulty.
The United States, in considering
any food shipment, Mr. Berle point
ed out, must ask will it merely feed
one group in one place and increase
misery elsewhere by encouraging or
assisting invaders or asgreSsors to
reouisition, or seize, or buy with
worthless currency, Or otherwise take
away for themselves, food which
ought to go to the populations of
these countries? If the latter hap-
pens plainly the relief does rot as
sist in the slightest.
THE technique Of modern eco
nomic warfare has developed end
less ways of draining a country dry
of its essential food supplies. They
can be seized to feed armies of oc-
cupation. They can be bought with
currency which the occupied coun-
try is forced to print and turn over
to the invaders. Its exports can be
required to fulfill some barter trade
agreement which has been forced
on the country. In such cases, ship
ments of relief to the population do
not assist that population unless it
Is possible to establish virtually an
economic control system in neutral
or acknowledgement hands within the
country. This is extremely difficult
In time of war within military lines.
There is widespread miscon-
ception that the food difficulties of
Europe are due chiefly to the Allied
blockade. Such information as we
have indicates that the chief diff
Guilty is due to the disturbance of
crops and harvests and transport
and local distribution, and to the
requisitioning and economic policies
pursued on the Continent itself. In
the light Of this the difficulty of
carrying on any effective policy of
feeding In territory within military
lines must be sufficiently obvious"
Development of some direct mar
keting system between farmers and
labor was urged by Secretary of
Labor Perkins at the same meeting.
Urges Factory Meals at Cost.
She also urged that industry make
arrangements to supply nutritionally
sufficient meals at cost to factory
workers.
TOO often" she said, factory
workers find it difficult to secure di-
gestible and attractive meals near
their work without paying exces-
sive prices. Proper food will greatly
increase their working efficiency"
Plans to increase vastly the Ma
tion's production of essential foods
during the next few months were
described before the conference by
Secretary of Agriculture Wickard.
The greater production, he said,
will be of foods which can be stored
for this country and also supplied
to Great Britain.
Egg production, he said, is to be
increased to supply British needs
and at the same time supply the
United States with as many eggs as
ever have been used any year in the
past. 1t is planned to increase milk
production SO that the average
! American consumption for the last
four years can be continued and at