Evening star., 1942-01-30

Food Sent 10 France
Diverted 10 Germany
Officials Here Saw
President Renews PIeo
For Continued Aid
To Friendly Motions

i
many, 1t was disclosed today, a.
President Roosevelt urged that
Americans continue contributions
for relief to friendly countries when
proper distribution Is assured.
The disclosure Of the diversion Of
relief supplies intended for the chill
dren and needy citizens in unoccu-
pied France came from unimpeach-
able Government sources. It also
was said that Immense confusion
surrounds the entire question OF
transportation of food and other
commodities between the occupied
and unoccupied zones Of France,
Germany and French North Africa.
Secretary Of State Hull said, how
ever, that he had no information
that any Of the supplies diverted to
Germany was of American origin.
The American Red Cross, which UP
until last June 80 sent $4,737, 900
worth of relief shipments to unoccu-
pied France, said its agent who
supervised the distribution reported
that not single instance of diver
sion Of this food had come to his
attention.
| Food Sent on to Germany.
This country's experience in send
ing food for relief Of needy citizens
| and particularly children in unoccu-
pied France has not been 100 per
cent satisfactory, however, it was
said on high authority.
This authority said that unfortu-
nately some food which had been
put on train at Marseilles for dis
tribution in the unoccupied zone
kept right on going into Germany.
A number OF small instances of q
similar nature was reported.
Red Cross officials said a report
had come to their attention that
shipload of food being imported
by the Vichy Government from
French North Africa and in
tended for the civilian popula-
ton of unoccupied France had
been diverted to Germany after
being unloaded at Marseille.
They said they could not vodch
for the truth Of this report but
that it probably was correct. 1t
was said that this incident may
have been the basis Of the reports
of diversion Of supplies.
Meanwhile, the President told
Congress in report that the
American Government has spent
! $50, 1872 ,048 46 for the relief of home
less civilians Of the NaZi- occupied
countries in Europe. The report
said its w. P. A. program had cost
the Nation $14,67O 900 900 from its
Inauguration in 1885 to the end of
last December.
The Government foreign relief
funds were spent for food, medicine
and clothing, which was turned over
to the Red Cross for distribution
abroad. Congress earmarked a fund
of $50 100000 for this purpose. The
W. P. A. furnished the Red Cross
with s9O6, 6,16580 for expenses in
volved in the distribution.
Many Nations Need Help.
The whole question of relief con-
| tributions for foreign countries came
up at President Roosevelt's press
conference. He said he felt that
a great many nations working on
the Allied side need things which
Americans can help supply for ci-
william uses and that present efforts
to get such assistance to them should
continue.
He mentioned particularly such
items as worn clothing and food
While the war has increased needs
here, the President said this did not
mean that we ought to cut of help
to other nations.
He pointed out that this country
must keep up its own drives for such
things as the fund to combat in
fantile paralysis and other charity
programs, but that instead Of cutting
off anything, Americans should just
| give a little more. He emphasized
however, that contributions for use
| abroad should go only through au-
thorized agencies.
Asked If this policy applied to un-
occupied France. the President an
swered in the Affirmative with the
stipulation that relief may be sent
to the Vichy- areas only
when we can be sure of getting the
supplies in there and be sure OF
proper distribution. This country
cannot afford to send supplies to
Germany now, it was pointed out
Chiefly Medicine and Milk.
Red Cross shipments into unoc-
cupied France, consisting mainly OF
medicine and milk for children, with
some of them including infants
clothing and cereals. were supervised
from beginning to end by American
officials. The Red Cross representa-
tives saw to 1t that the supplies they
were handling went directly to the
needy persons for whom they were
intended. officials here said.
Richard Allen, Red Cross dele
gate to Europe who recently re-
turned after supervising distribu-
ton Of Red Cross shipments to un-
occupied France, reported to su-
periors that no instance of diversion
had come to his attention.
The shipments have been discon-
tinued to France since last June
however. In response to desperate
appeals for aid through the French
Ambassador here, ship was loaded
at Baltimore late last fall with $780,
600 worth of Red Cross medicines
and milk for children, but the ship
was unloaded before leaving for
France in view of disquieting re-
ports at that time about the extent
of Vichy collaboration with Ger
many.