WAR ANALYSIS

Franklin Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4, 13 January 1943, Page 3

WAR ANALYSIS

FOURTH WINTER EUROPE’S SAD PLIGHT Reports of zero and below-zero temperatures in south-east Russia indicate that Ihe winlei has set in all over Europe. What is called the “freeze line” in Russia is nowhere later Ilian January 1, even in the comparatively warm Transcaucasia. In the Don area Hie line is set a month earlier. .Winter here and in the rest of Russia may slow down military moveqienls. but it will immensely increase the hardships of Ine troops,, especially those in Hie battle zonel* outside winter quarters. The ifeNt. two monlbs will also tie tlie coldest fit wes'orn Europe, where the plight ofe Ihe subject people, short of food and? fuel, will be sad indeed.

The food silualion of occupied Europe was examined by Robert F. Whitney in the "New York Times” about Ihe middle of October, from Hie latest, information available. He lays it down al the outset that, “next to the firing squad, food is Nazi Germany’s most powerful weapon in forcing collaboration from (lie captive peoples of Europe, He adds: “Germany is going lo use that weapon to its full potential in forcing Ihe form of collaboration she needs most, the movemen) of workers into Ihe Reich’;/ fields, factories, and mines.” On top of this comes Ihe latest unofficial report that Germany is going lo form an “ersatz Wehrmacht” from the manpower of these subject peoples.

Starving All But Germany. On tlie Continent of Europe Germany lias been told by Goering that before Germans go hungry the peoples of llic occupied lands will be allowed to starve. This is no idle threat. Just before the outbreak of war Germany was 87 per cent self-sufficient in food resources, and most authorities agree that Germany has an adequate food supply today at the expense of the rest of Europe. This is how, according to Whitney. Ihe rest stands (his winter:

Italy. —The current, bread ration is one-half Germany’s and the spaghetti allotment twelve dunces a week. As Italy entered Hie war willi small reserves. believing the conflict would be of short duration, rations have been kept al a low level, even relalive !o Ibc fn.2-a.lify of the normal Italian diel. Deficiencies of bread grains, meats, fats, and oils will probably conlinue. Italy continues to supply Germany willi .vegetables, rice, fruits, nuts, and some olive oil.

France.— ln both occupied and unoccupied France Ihe official rations arc 1137 calories u day. but willi French collaborators getting extra ration cards. Heavy deliveries' of foods from Ihe unoccupied zone have been made in Germany and not more than 30 per ecnl of moderale imports from Norlh Africa have been allowed In remain in the unoccupied territory. American Red Cross shipments of food to occupied France have been insignificant compared to Ihe need. France’s winter wifl'tiTTug further malnutrition and probably near-slarval ion lo many. t| should be added that wilii all France occupied today the condition of the people is likely In be worse than over.

Critical in Belgium. Belgium. — Because this country is so dependent on imports of foods and feeds her situation is one of Hie most critical. If all wheat and rye produced li'iere went into human consumption. only Iwo-lhirds of normal bread reqiiiremenls would he met. Supplies of foodstuffs for adults are estimated al Cm per renl below medical standards. Las.l winter Belgians paid 123 francs for a cal carcase on Ihe black mark'd. Greece.-- —This gallant iialimi lares Hie most desperate silualion. Already despair has I'orred hundred-' lo defy llndi' conquerors and many have joined moimlain guerrilla hands. Al Ihe end i'if lasi year il was eslimaled llial irm persons were dying daily irmn starvation in Alliens and dial more Ilian half I tie city's population was living on 25n calories a day. the United Nations are Irving lo aid Greece, bill ibis winH'i' is sure In he worse Ilian lasi. rteth&r labels. —Food rations are ahm ll one-third less than normal consumption. Excess meal supplies from Ihe emergency slaughtering ol animals have long since disappeared. Holland is forced lo send substantial exports uf dairy products lo Ciermaiiy. hul she is probably boiler oil Hum any of Ihe above. In Scandinavia. Denmark. — Radons here remain al a fairly liberal level. The livestock population has been reduced to a point where it can probably lie supported by domestic, feed production. Rut the Nazi "squeeze’ for man-power will probably make this winter harder Hum lasi for Ihe Danes. Norway. —Oflie.inl rations in Norway are now scanty and not always available. Norway, like Belgium, must have food imports, normally getting 80 per cent of breads)ul'fs and 2> per cent of fats. Naval operations have limited the catch of fish. Starvation and desperation will become more severe in Norway. Finland. —The Finnish Legation at Washington recently said that the food situation in Finland had improved over last winter, when food rations were "purely theoretical." H’ Finland continues fighting Germany s war Germany will undoubtedly give her sufficient help with food from the occupied lands. Among the Neutrals. In Sweden, the rations are fairly liberal and some imports are received via Germany. II is believed lhai. reserves exist to eke out this year's short grain crop. Although most ciops wore below normal, if is believer’ that Sweden will come through the winter fairly well. hi Switzerland, ration allowances do not indicate severe reductions in. the general level of food consumption. Switzerland still receives some imports from Continental areas and

some overseas supplies, chiefly of breadstuffs and sugar, in both of which she normally requires large imports. As i'or Spain and Portugal, Spain lias been suffering from an acute food shortage since the end of her civil war in 1939. There is no reason to believe that the wheat harvest this year will meet requirements. Spain expects considerable corn and wheat imports from Argentina. Portugal is as well off as any country of Europe. It wili_be noted that the American writer says nothing of Poland; Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and occupied Russia. The plight of the people in most of these countries is probably, in the main. \vorS> than anvwhere else in Europe.