Detroit evening times., 1945-06-11
IN
REVIEW
BY Maj. Gen.
D. P. Barrows

THE end of the war brings
into strong light the COM
pete destitution of large masses
Of people in Europe and the cer-
tainty of their suffering misery
and famine unless wise and
Skillful methods are adopted by
the Allies.
Under these circumstances IT
Is A matter of great moment
that President Truman invited
to the White House for CONSUL
tatlon, Mr.. Herbert Hoover. For
Mr. ffoOVcr'S services as the or
ganlzer of relief against human
famine and distress are beyond
all comparison.
These services embraced four
successive efforts which Mr..
Hoover directed. The first, or
ganiZed in London on the OUT
break of the first World War,
was IN aid of stranded American
citizens caught in the mael-
Stron of conflict, who needed 10
return 10 their American homes.
This was a credit operation of
which practically every dollar
was repaid by those benefited.
The second was the commits
sion for relief of Belgium which
was extended 10 that part of
France occupied by the German
armies.
The third was the American
relief for Europe after the first
World War ended.
The fourth was the Russian
famine relief in 192l-22.
MY OWN participation in this
NI great activity of Mr. Hoover
was limited to service in Bel
gium in 1916, and of this alone
can | speak from experience.
But / believe the same princi-
pies governed the relief work
everywhere and it is these prln-
Clples which should now be
brought forward and applied.
In the first place the relief in
Belgium and northern France
was a business undertaking.
1t went on for six years and
was successful in importing
through the port Oh Rotterdam
an enormous quantity Of grain
and other food supplies for
100000 people of Belgium
and northern France.
1t required constant operation
OF a chartered fleet of about S5
cargo vessels and a large fleet
of canal boats. by which these
supplies were delivered.
1t took an annual budget of
S400,000,000. which was largely
a revolving fund, and while
charitable gifts from the Brit
ish, American and other peoples
amounted TO millions of dollars,
most of the credits were sup
piled bv the French and Belgian
governments, although the lat
ter was in exile.
The Wheat bread, milled and
baked under strict supervision,
was not given to the masses.
II was sold under card
ration system for the mini
mum requirements of 100000
people.
IT WAS the cheapest bread.
Il during the war. purchasable
in any capltal of Europe. yet il
contained a 10 per cent profit
which was turned over TO a
multitude Of CanteenS and soup
kitchens, where those absolutely
destitute were fed.
All accounts were most care
fully audited and all property
was accounted for.
When the commission work
terminated and after the pay
ment Of all bills, there remained
a fund of some millions of dol
lars which was transferred to
the Belgian and French peoples
for the endowment of educa-
tional opportunities.
These accounts IN all detail
are set forth in the published
reports of the commission. 10
which the interested may refer.
In the second place while
this was one of the greatest Of
business organizations. II was
conducted without any personal
advantage whatever.
The direCtorates AT Brussels
and Lille. at Rotterdam. AZ
London and al New York. were
composed of A few very able
men
They served entirely without
pay.
Many. and this includes Mr..
Hoover paid their own travel
and incidental expenses them
selves.
Shipping firms, accountants.
insurance agencieS. buying
agencies. throughout the world
gave their services without
charge.
T1iE personnel in Belgium and
northern France, necessary
for oversight and prevention Of
encroachment by the German
military authorities, numbered
about 80.
Altogether they numbered
about 10, most of them Amer
leans; all volunteers. They re-
ceived monthly 500 francs, or
about a hundred dollars, for
expenses.
1t was adequate and all that
Uas callad for