Evening star., 1944-06-11
Italian Proving Ground Tests
Plans for European Relief
Initial Problem of Feeding to Be Followed by Those
DECENTRALIZATION, Health and Reuniting of
Millions of Family Groups
BY yosebh Fl. Baird.

Inc Idll OF Rome ana the lOIlS-dWdlteQ
Allied assault on Hitler's European for
tress this week have accelerated prep
arations to meet enemies that will re-
main even after the Germans have
retreated to Berlin--the Apocalyptic
specters of famine and disease.
italy has been regarded here as a
sort of testing laboratory in which
techniques of feeding the hungry, cur
ing the sick and aiding the dislocated to
resume normal lives can be perfected
for use in solving the major problems
Of Nazi-occupied Europe. Much has
been learned there which will be applied
in France, Belgium, Holland, Poland
and other areas in which the United
Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Ad-
ministration expects soon to be working.
Now the broader problem of Europe
/, as whole looms ahead. Herbert H.
Lehman, director of the UNRRA, as
sured the peoples of occupied nations
by radio on Wednesday that aid was
coming at last. And Acting Secretary
of State Stettinius, alarmed over the
action of the House in striking out $780,
100000 of the 100000 sought inn
mediately as Americas contribution to
UNRRA funds, found 1t necessary to
warn that the success of the relief or
ganization will be placed In grave
jeopardy and military operations for the
liberation OF Europe may be unneces-
sarily prolonged" If the needed money
uo not forfhconoino yom
But, first, look at the Italian probl-
lem, which has been intensified by
Allied occupation Of the destitute area
around Rome which, due to the influx
Of refugees, is estimated now to contain
approximately 100000 people who are
virtually without food.
Italian Problem Different,
The relief problem in Italy differs
from that in other parts of Europe in
that 1t is former enemy" rather than
liberated" territory. All relief activities
there so far have been carried out by
the Allied Military Government or by
civil affairs officers of the Army and
local Italian officials operating under
the Allied Control Commission. Under
international law, as Maj. Gen. j. H.
Hilldring of the Army general staff
recently pointed out to q congressional
committee, an occupying army is re-
sponsible for the security Of the civilian
population.
Negotiations are now going on be-
tween UNRRA and the Allied Control
Commission to take over relief activities
in Sicily, Sardinia and Southern Italy.
However, UNRRAs charter prevents its
operation in enemy territory without the
full consent Of its council Due to the
recent British ban on travel, the council,
many Of whose members are in England
has not been able to meet. With the
actual opening of the western 'front.'
however, these bans soon may be re-
laxed, and special council meeting
is expected to take up the matter.
Meanwhile, Army authorities must
assume the job of feeding the great
Roman area, which, in normal times, is
largely dependent on food shipments
from Northern Italy, now in German
hands, for its sustenance It is definitely
deficit area" agriculturally, and its
innate economic problem has been ac-
centuated by the fact that its German
guests" before leaving stripped it of
virtually everything edible. In this task
the Army can draw on the experience of
almost year in feeding Southern Italy
and adjacent islands
Underestimated Problem.
officials here say that when the Army
last summer first went into Sicily, Sar-
dinia and Southern Italy, it ran into
host of unexpected problems. First, it is
said, it underestimated the supply prob
lem and lacked the necessary food to
. feed the semistarved populations of the
cities. More, Italian farmers, trying to
"gouge" the "rich Americans" boarded
food, and the black market, very active
in Italy all during the years of the
Fascist regime, hiked prices to incedible
levels.
The net result of these circumstances
was to cause a great deal of grumbling
among the Italians. who apparently
thought they would dine like kings as
soon as the Americans and British were
in control.
Now, 1t Is said, most of these problems