Evening star., 1944-07-09
Seeks Self-Help
FEA Moves to Ease
Relief Abroad
Continued From Page CID

Italian relief channels. Moreover,
recent reports indicate good crop
prospects for Sicily.
It was after this North African
trip that Leo T. Crowley, himself
from Wisconsin, asked Mr.. Parisius
to take over for FEA the job Of re-
establishing agriculture in countries
once dominated by the Axis part
ners.
See Speedy Rehabilitation.
In its program. the FEA will do no
more than help liberated nations re-
establish their economic founda-
tionS, working first with the Allied
military governments and later with
UNRRA and established govern
ments. It has been estimated that
the European nations soon can be
made 80 per cent self-supporting
with the rest of the world being
called on to meet a 10 per cent
deficiency. Furthermore, certain
commodities needed by the United
States are expected to balance ex-
ports from this country.
Referring to recent lend-lease re-
ports that no more than 2 per cent
Of the farm machinery being manu.
factured in this country is being sent
abroad, FEA ofilcials have explained
that under the rehabilitation pro-
gram factories in liberated nations
are put in operation as quickly as
possible, and that these are expected
to supply most of the tools required
for agriculture.
For example, it has been pointed
out, Greece had two plow factories
before the war and as soon as the
Nazis are driven out those plants will
again start turning out the ancient
Greek pillow, used by generations of
peasants. In no instance will Amer
lean tools or methods be foisted onto
the peoples OF other lands.
Two Main Problems.
FEA heads point out that two
main problems confront rehabilita-
ton workers. Dairy herds have
been depleted by the Nazis in gear
ing occupied countries to the Axis
total war program of production,
and confidence must be restored in
local governments and their none
tary systems in order to assure a
flow of agricultural products into
trade channels.
In Europe, a continent of small
farmers for the most part. it has
been pointed out that if 100 bushels
of grain go underground on each
farm, the total grain hoard will
amount to hundreds of thousands of
bushels-enough to halt a program
of self -sufhciency.
Therefore, in working first with
the Allied military government and
later with UNRRA and local gov
ernments, one of the first steps by
FEA representatives will be to es-
tablish faith and belief In the proc
esses of permanent recovery.
Although the extent OF deprecia-
ton Of dairy herds in the Low
Countries is still largely a guess
FEA representatives admit 1t is q
serious problem. and one that does
not lend itself to being quickly
solved
! While it is doubted that dairy herd.
have been completely destroyed
by the Nazis, 1t is known that the
German demands for oils and fats
in their war economy have resulted
in a considerable reduction in herds
/ FEA men doubt that large num-
bers of milk cows will be shipped tc
Europe from this country. They
feel that until natural increase Il
we'll under way, dairy products will
be allocated at first to children ane
hospitals, with any surpluses goinf
20 the general population.
Build No Stockpiles.
It has been explained that tn.
FEA is building no large stockpile.
OF materials. to lie idle in this coun.
try until they eventually are shipped
abroad. Allegations to the agency o.
such materials as farm machinery
go on the general American markets
thus increasing the number of farm
implements available to the farmer!
Vi tl!S country.
When farm machinery is needed
in the rehabilitation program
abroad, FEA then is given prioritie'
for its requirements. which are Sc.
cured from stock on hand"
The small amount of machinery
required for shipment to foreign
countries is source of pride to FEA
representatives. They have pointed
out that by promoting the quick re-
covery of foreign manufacturing
commercial interests both in this
country and abroad are best served
1t also has been taken into con-
sideration that foreign peoples
might easily resent a too great in
fusion of American machines and
American methods, thus slowing up
total recovery.
With the exception Of China and
other Eastern areas. where little yet
has been done to increase agricul-
tural production. FEA representa-
tives have no fault to find with
progress.
North Africa and Sicily are now
in their second harvest, and the
people of Southern Italy are about
to reap their first crop since liberia
ton. Production in these lands, it
has been explained. is rapidly COM
ing back to normal despite difncult
conditions brought about by mill
tary operations.
| While it is too soon to estimate
correctly the agricultural conditions
of France and other Axis-dominated
countries, results SO far indicate
that Europe may return to self
suficiency quicker than was first
believed possible. Despite the bright
outlook, however. officials concerned
with European agricultural produc-
ton and supply warn that full re-
covery of farm production cannot be
expected within the next crop year
and that the United States and
other surplus producing nations
must prepare to send fairly sizable
quantities of food to the continent
Cactus Jacks increasing distaste
for New Deal policies interfered
with the frankness of cabinet dis
cussion and finally led him to dis