Nogales international., 1941-03-15
Why Must They Starve?
A National Committee Has Been Formed for Food
Relief in Stricken Nations

A National Committee of 40
President Herbert Hoover as Hor
to find a way to feed millions
countries. Already 1920 auxili;
throughout the country have or&
Of the 100000 people in
way and Central Poland, great
starvation and disease. America
The Committee states that
requested, and that its purpose
public and invite an expression
/. Will there be actual starvation
in Europe this winter?
Yes. Under normal conditions Bel
;gium imports 40 per cent OF its food,
Holland 33 per cent, and Norway
81 per cent. These imports are now
cut off by British and German
blockades. Central Poland is from
80 to 40 per cent deficient because
of the tri-partition of Poland. Fin
land, not occupied but partially
blockaded, normally imports 22 per
cent of her foods; she has also lost
one-tenth Of her best soil. In all
countries unusually severe weather
destroyed much of the grain crops;
military mobilization. prevented
planting and harvesting, invasion
destroyed storage and equipment,
and disrupted transportation. Unless
food is imported many thousands
will starve, and many more will die
from disease, before the next har-
vest. These people need protection
of native food from seizure by occu-
pying armies as well as protection
for imported foods.
2. Can this famine be prevented
without helping Germany?
Yes. The Hoover plan, which op-
Grated effectively in the last war,
provides for absolute control OF fd-
tive and imported food By a Neutral
Commission, assisted by great
number of volunteer patriotic ma
rtionals. Supplies will go directly to
the hungry people for whom they
ARE intended-and to no one else.
-3. Does this plan aid the Allies?
Yes. Feeding these democratic
peoples will maintain their courage,
sustain allegiance to ideals, rebuild
morale, increase England's prestige
as a humanitarian nation and sal
wage native supplies from absorp-
tion. a
4. Will Germany profit if it breaks
the agreement?
No. The plan provides for only
100000 to 100000 tons Of imported
food to be on hand at one time. The
Germans use ten times that much
each month. If Germany committed
the maximum violation and seized
the entire supply, this would fur
nish them food for only three days,
and relief sooNld end.
S. Will Germany feed these nations?
No. Every country at war meas
ures it's supplies, military and food,
by the necessities of war. Since Ger
many does not know how long the
present war will last, it is not likely
to feed these countries at the risk
of depicting supplies needed for the
German army and people.
e. Will feeding workmen in these
countries strengthen Germany?
No. Workmen whose labor is use
'ful to the Central economy of Ger
many will be fed by the Germans
man. of them in Germany itself as
deportees. But their women and
children will be left unprovided for.
A new Europe cannot be built from
physical and mental wreckage.
z. Will starving people revolt
against Germany!
No. Military resistance is impos-
Ysible when disarmament of nation
is complete. A single tank can
easily subdue an entire area. It is
.barbarous to even suggest that
naked-handed women and children
could join in fighting against mod
ern weapons.
8. Would Germany keep the agree
ment?
Yes. The whole plan is predicated
upon the fact that relief will ternli-
nate if there are violations by Ger
many. Pestilence, already appearing
in the occupied areas, respects no
boundaries. 1t would sweep all coun.
tries-Germany as we'll as the rest
Germany knows this, and would
keep the agreement it for no other
reason than its Oton self-interest
Agreements made by the present
German Government since the out