FEEDING EUROPE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 244, 9 July 1919, Page 7

FEEDING EUROPE

TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES

RESULTS OF ALLIES' RELIEF

MEASURES

The Director-General of Relief, Mr, Herbert C. Hoover, recently issued his review of relief measures effected by to United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy, during March through co-or-dination, of the Supreme Economic Council. The total distribution during March was:—Coveals, 316,243; rice, 12,042; peas and beans, 8053; fats and meat, 31,176; milk (condensed), 1122; clothing 1483; miscellaneous, 3322; total,; 388,011. (Tho figures represent metric tons.) The total value of supplies distributed during the month was approximately of which all but about .£500,000 was furnished on a basis of 'deferred payment. Poland.—The supplies distributed were: ■> Kilos. Breadstuff* ' 35,715,000 Fata 13,902,000 Condensed milk 1,668,000 Gift clothing 160,000 Total 51,745,000 The arrangements for shipment through Danzig under the terms of the armistice hnvo proceeded with great smoothness. _ Finland.—During tho month the arrivals in Finland were as follow:— Kilos. Breadstuffs 25,114,000 Peas and beans ' 127,000 ]? a t s \ 753,000 Condensed milk 50,000 Total 26,341.000 About 10,00fl tons of these supplies were furnished under replacement agreements with Northern neutrals. Distribution is gradually spreading into outlying points, and the straw bread formerly in use is ranidlv disappearing. Baltic States-Preliminary measures for the establishment of regular supplies to the coastal areas of the Baltic States have been undertaken; 2.750,000 kilos, of breaclstuffs were actually delivered during Hip month. _ . Czecnb-Slovakia. — The following amounts of overseas foodstuffs were delivered into Czechoslovakia during tht aion'tlli— ' ■ .. Kilos. ■ Breadstuffs 26,280,000 . Peas and ibeans 283,000 Fats 2,429,000 Condensed milk 1*3,000 Miscellaneous '. 456,000 Total -29.011,000 Distribution has been less during the month than was hoped for; owing to difficulties of railway transportation flora the Adriatic. As a-further security for regufarity of supplies, arrangements have been made for shipment through Hamburg, via the Elb~e, into Bohemia. Vienna Situation "Extremely Bad." , German Austria—The total deliveries from Allied sources during the month of Starch were:— Kilo*. Breadstuff/! 32,951,000 Peas and beans 08,000 Rice '. 1,138,000 Fats 240,000 Condensed milk , 759,000 ' Total 38,156,000 Supplies amounting to aboat 10,000 tons wero also mode under replaaement arrangements from neighbouring countries. German Austria also Buffered during the month from the difficulties of railway transportation, from the Adriatic, but the situation is rapidly improving. Tho difficulties in financing supplies for this State have been overcome by the joint action of the four Governments.

The situation at Vienna is extremely bad, .and measures have been taken to increase the arrivals to 2,000,000 kilos per diem, if transportation permits. . Greater Serbia.—The Telief of the entire area of Jugo-Slavia, Montenegro, and Serbia is conducted as a single unit. The total distribution during the month amounted to:— • -.. '■■•' ■'• ■ ■■-■ ■' ■• ' Kilos. ' Breadstuffa 28,922,000 ■Fats. 5,000,000 Total 33,922,000 ' Romania.—The total deliveries during the month wero 26,967,000 kilos of breadstuffs The inland transportation, owing to dee in the Danube and the reduction in railway rolling stock, Tendered adoSuate distribution impossible. Again, by ie ■ energetic co-operation of all the Allied Governments, this situation is in course of remedy.

Turkey.—2.29B,ooo kilos of foodstuffs have been distributed during the month in Constantinople. In addition, further supplies are being distributed inland by the r military--authorities, but again inland transportation conditions mako any relief, extremely unsatisfactory. Armenia.—Tho Belief Administration supplied 4,521,000 kilos of breadstuffs and 731,000 kilos of condensed milk. In addition to these, three ship 'loads of food, clothing, and medical supplies have been delivered for the T'ar Eastern Belief Commission. A?ain, the difficulties of inland transportation render assistance extremely difficult. . _ Belgium—The following supplies were delivered during the month:— Kilos. Breadstuff."! 113,173,000 Peas and beans 7,575,000 Rice 8,382,000 Fats 9,230,000 Clothing 3,710,000 Miscellaneous food 3,534,000 Total 145,601.000 ' The energetic development of the Belgian Food Ministry has rendered it possible for the Government to undertake at an early date her own purchase of eupplies and transportation. Northern France.—The progressive resumption of the replenishment of the occupied regions by the French Food Ministry haa proceeded so far as to render it possible gradually to withdraw the relief measures which have been continuous ovor four and a half years, and such withdrawal should be complete by May 1. During March a total of 6,906,000 kilos of foodstuffs and clothing were delivered into devastated areas. 200 Million Kilos for Germany. Germany.—Tho financial, tonnage, and food arrangements were completed' at Brussels on March U. The first Gorman ships arrived at Allied ports about March 22. and on March 25 foodstuffs were actually delivered inside German territory, consisting of 6,787,000 kilos breadstuffs and 743,000 kilos fats. The available supplies from all quarters should permit tho import into Germany of approximately 200,000,000 kite (ln"in(T April. Under'the action taken by tho Supremo War Council on March 10 authority was given the Director-General of Heliof, act ing through the Communication Section 'of the Economic Council, over railway movements in the old Austrian Emnire. ■ Tho improvements, have- been marked, as evidenced by the fact Hint the avorase railway shipments from Trieste for Ihn first fifteen days of March average less than 600 tons per diem, whereas they have averaged over 2500 per diem dyring tho ten days ending April 5. Much lms been accomplished during the month in tho exchange of supnliiM between various States in Central Tairopn whose political and economic Miniums require friendly intervention lo secure necessary exchanges. ' Thoso .-.'ensures will proceed on an increasing bcaio in the future. Caring for tho Children. In order to cope with the vorv large amount of malnutrition in the liberated areas of Central and Eastern Europe, plans are under way involving medical examination of Iho children of tlic poor, and provision for their regular and (systematic fording from epenial iMintoims. These measures yill involve tlio dirci care of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 el.ilUn'rin" March this work was initialed in Finland, Poland, and Hmnnuisi, am] it is hoped that during April it | will I* established cenernlly over the liberated countries. It is honed that, charitable support'to relief in Europe can bn directed into these channels, as tho financial burden will be very la.rge. General.—lt has been solely duo to the co-operation of the food, financial, and transportation officials of tho eighteen Governments involved that thcae results have been possible.