Evening star., 1948-03-14
More Food and Fuel
Plus Mild Winter
Help Nations
By WiIIiom T Chose
By WiIIiom T Chose

An Associated Press survey of con
ditions across the continent indi
Gated Switzerland, Fire, Belgium
and Portugal were the best of
generally, with Russia and tn,
Soviet-dominated nations report
ing improved living conditions.
Farm Prospects Good
Spring planting prospects lookee
promising. A late February COLI
spell was reported to have done littl.
damage. Health statistics showee
decrease in some common diseases
There were fewer malnutrition cases
This Is the way things shaped
UP with spring just around tn.
corner:
Britain-The nations health i'm.
proved greatly during an exception.
ally mild winter. A survey showed
a marked drop in influenza deaths
Food remained rationed but ther.
was more fresh and canned fruit
available. Coal-stock piles were
higher than expected and the Fue
Ministry said the nation hoped tc
export two or three million more
tons than she had promised under
the Marshall Plan.
Eire-This was still a land oi
plenty. Farmers predicted bumper
crops and Washington reports in
dicated Fire probably would get 4O0,-
600 tons of wheat from America
France-Wheat prospects looked
good and coal supplies were on the
upgrade. Bread was still rationed
and one of Premier Robert Schu-
mans main tasks was to induce
farmers to sell their products at
a reasonable price rather than
hoard them. Wages were frozen,
yet prices continued to go up.
Germany-The mild winter was a
blessing to fuel-short Germans. In
the Anglo-American zones they re-
ceived an average food ration of
l 300 calories daily, less than half
the amount consumed by a working
Nutrition authorities said
there were no epidemics. Crop pros
poets were favorable.
Austria-The people survived the
winter far better than they did last
year and crop prospects were
brighter. The food ration rose 300
calories to 1850 daily. Coal output
increased and the nation began ex-
porting electricity to Germany,
Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Gen
eral health was below prewar stand
ards.
u. S. Pulled Greece Through
Italy-Mild weather cut fuel costs,
but prices continued to soar. Bread,
spaghetti and olive oil reached post
war peaks, but eggs droped from 10
TO 5 cents each. Health authorities
cited malnutrition as the chief cause
for an increase in tuberculosis.
Greece-The United States pulled
Greece through the winter without
privation by supplying nearly $4oO,-
100000 worth of food. Prospects
were reported excellent for nearly
normal farm production.
MISUNDERSTANDING of all COM
modities neared an end after a mild
winter. Only milk, fats, bread and
sugar remained on the ration.
Health was fairly good and fuel
supplies adequate.
Holland-Food, fuel and health
were described as fair,
With the food ration maintained at
100 calories daily.
U. S. S. R.-The Russians were re-
ported eating better than since the
beginning of the war. Increased
agricultural planting and favorable
weather. led to hopes for an excel
ent crop this year. Coal produc-
ion was above prewar standards
md health and morale were said to
lave improved.
Czechoslovakia-The food outlook
vas brighter, although rationing
continued. Imports of grain from
Russia and meat from Poland and
hungary were expected to safeguard
he food supply. The mild winter
prevented an acute coal shortage.
Mild Winter Helps
Hungary-Neither food nor fuel
vas serious problem this winter.
The shops had plenty of unrationed
ood and there was enough fuel to
leat most homes. Spring crop pros
,ects were described as reassuring.
Romania - Wheat, sugar, bread
md vegetable oil remained on ra-
ion but adequate supplies of food
we're available at state shops at
TX times stabilization prices. Mild /
weather. prevented a serious fuel
hortage. Official circles said there
vas definite decline in disease.
Bulgaria-Increased planting was
allied for under the state economic
Ian and the Ministry of Agricul-
ure said crop prospects were good
Yugoslavia-A new government
ystem of prices and supply went
nto effect March /, designed to
tenn soaring prices Of most con-
umer goods.
Poland - Authorities said the
hree-year economic program ex-
ending through 1949 had been as
ured, thanks to Soviet aid. Russia
vas scheduled to deliver 100000
ons of grain to provide bread un-
d the next harvest.
Denmark Food supplies con-
Inued adequate, although white
read and butter were still ra-
loned.
Finland-Food conditions were
1uch better than last year, but
rices were soaring. Rationing
oYtinued