Evening star., 1947-05-26
Anderson Urge,
World ParIey
On Grain Crisis
5MiIIion T ons Needed
Abroad This Summer,
Food Council Told
By MoIcoIm Lomborne, JF.

The United States proposed 10
the 34-nation international
Emergency Food Council today
that an international cereals
conference be held In Europe In
mid-July. It's objects would be
better distribution of food stocks
and TO insure against "dissipa-
ton of indigenous food supplies
from the coming harvest"
The surprise proposal, made by
Secretary Of Agriculture Anderson
at the fourth quarterly meeting OF
the council. drew immediate support
from delegates Of France and Egypt
who proposed a formal resolution
to be acted on later in the day.
Mr.. Anderson's proposal was con-
sidered particularly significant In
the light of Gen. Mark Clark
charge last night that Russia con-
fiscated Austrian cattle, food and
other resources above It's own needs,
in direct violation of the Potsdam
agreement. There also have been
reports of mismanagement in food
collections from farmers in Japan.
Better Management" Urged.
Mr.. Anderson observed that I'VE
have to have better food manage
ment in some lands and noted that
the situation in occupied areas of
Germany and Japan was disturbing. "
While I would be quite willing to
send grain to the United Kingdom,
would hesitate very definitely to
send 1t to the British zone of Ger
many and have any confidence that
1t would be stored" Mr.. Anderson
told the delegates.
He warned the council not to be
misled by reports of the size of this
countrys big wheat crop this year.
He said that theoretically the United
States could send 1000, 900 bushels
of wheat abroad during the next
crop year. but added that the prac-
tical limit may be no more than
$50, ,000,0 900 bushels, because of trans
portation limitations.
Mil1On Ions Nee0ed.
Earlier, D. A. Fitzgerald, secretary
general of the council, estimated
that the United States and Canada
must ship 100000 tons of grain
(about 180, 100000 bushels abroad
between July and September. If
widespread hunger and possible
riotfng are to be avoided in the
European countries. -.-.....
Hundred of millions are suffering
through the worst phases of the
second postwar year of shortages in
basic foods" Mr.. FITZGERALD told the
Council. "The worlds stocks of food
are at the lowest ebb."
In perhaps II countries, notably
Csechoslovakia. Sweden and Den
mark, the situation is so precarious
that a delay of harvest of SO much
as a week beyond the date now
anticipated could be the deciding
factor on whether rationing and
distribution systems break down, he
warned
100000 Tons Maximum.
Mr.. FITZGERALD said the 100000
tons. which is about 80,000, 900 bush
els, were the maximum that can be
expected from the United States and
Canada in view of the small carry
over of cereals in this country on
June 30. Most of the grain would
have to come from the new crop,
which in the case of wheat will not
start moving until the end of June.
He estimated Argentina should
export 100000 tons, which would
be substantially more than that
country has been supplying, Argen-
tina, however. is not a member of
the council and would not be bound
to any ALLEGATION recommendations
worked out by the council.
The secretary-general, noting that
the Council is nearly year old, de-
clared that recovery in food supplies
that we expected year ago has not
ICaa ENOD nn-n ~ -