FACING FAMINE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20916, 16 October 1942, Page 3

FACING FAMINE

OCCUPIED EUROPE PROSPECTS FOR WINTER GRAIN CROP SHORTAGE (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 15. The Axis-dominated Europe faces the hungriest winter in modern history, according to indications available able to the Agricultural Department, says the Washington correspondent of the Wall Street Journal. Experts estimate that the wheat and rye output at 10 per cent less than last year, and Russian crops controlled by the Germans are insufficient to provide 10,000,000 tons of grain needed for the maintenance of the bread ration. Therefore, fodder grain must be diverted from livestock, resulting in increased slaughtering in 1942-43. Making necessity the mother of virtue, the Nazis boosted the German meat ration. British and American experts say that emergency slaughtering, rather than Reichmarshal Goering’s fairy tales about the improved food situation, explains the increased meat allowance. The Ukraine has, also bitterly disappointed the Nazis because the harvest last year was 50 per cent below normal, and this it is expected to be even less. Germany will obtain only 200,000 to 300,000 tons of grain, just enough to cover half the needs of the occupation army. .