FOOD PROBLEM FOR ENEMY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 9

FOOD PROBLEM FOR ENEMY

STATE OF OCCUPIED AREAS FAMINE AND PESTILENCE PROBABLE (BBITJ3H OFFICIAL WIBELESS.) RUGBY, June 19. Chaotic economic conditions have resulted in all countries in Europe which have come under Herr Hitler’s domination. In particular, the food situation has been so rudely disturbed that, in the opinion of experts in London, millions of people will be faced with , famine if the war is prolonged into the winter. This prospect must necessarily become a factor of first importance in the military calculations of the enemy, and evidence that Germany appreciates the gravity of the situation is already forthcoming in appeals made from occupied countries for food and help from overseas’ neutrals. Economic experts forecast that Germany will encourage propaganda in this direction, and that appeals on humanitarian grounds will, in due course, be addressed in particular to American countries. It may be assumed that supplies that may be forthcoming to relieve Germany’s own responsibility to feed the countries which come under her brutal domination be first drawn upon to revlctual her troops and munition workers. With this prospect in view and the likelihood that Germany will endeavour to saddle the British blockade with the responsibility, it is Important to recall that, prior to the blitzkreig, there was no interference with the imports to neutral countries nf adequate, normal food supplies. Under the present conditions these countries are likely to suffer first and most seriously. Indeed, no crisis of an alarming character is to be expected in Germany itself this year, although the eventual breakdown in its food supplies is now thought to be much nearer than originally expected. Position Already Acute The position of the occupied* countries is already acute. In Belgium it is described as desperate, and genuine famine conditions are likely to appear within two months. There is a sharp food shortage locally jn Norway, especially in the towns. Similar conditions apply to Denmark, where the pig industry has been liquidated and half the cattle stock slaughtered. The invasion of Poland during the sowing season and the ravages of war, together with abnormal winter conditions, have had a serious effect on her food situation. Italy is unable to help as her needs are as acute as Germany’s, and conditions in Italy have deteriorated in the last 10 years to a point where the ration standards are now lower than Germany’s own. Regarding the possibility of imports from neighbouring neutral countries, the harvest prospects throughout Europe are only moderate where they are not actually bad. South-eastern Europe is unlikely to afford great help, and Russia is not supplying Germany with anything like the quantities expected. Details of the possible effect of the invasion of France are not yet obtainable, but that country is hardly self-supporting in normal times—quite apart from the army of occupation and war ravages., . The problem is made more difficult by the robbery of food stocks to support Germany’s home needs, for in the occupied countries there is normally not enough to go round without overseas imports. ~ „ , , A further consideration must be taken into account. Even if Germany is willing to allow dominated peoples to starve, the problems of pestilence and despairing revolt still remain, BUDGET PLANS IN BRITAIN LONDON, June 19. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood) announced that the Budget was finally ready for presentation. He added that a second Budget must be regarded as inevitable. He said it was certain that Britain would have to fall back on the weapon of finance. This was one of the most powerful weapons in the hands of the British people, and added to the resources of the islands of Great Britain, was the tremendous support of the Dominions.