EMPTY LARDERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24274, 15 May 1942, Page 6

EMPTY LARDERS

EUBOPE GKOWS HUNGRY POOR CROP FORECASTS GERMANY'S FAILING SUPPLIES (Special Correspondent) (Becd. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 13 The cry for food is already rising up from German-occupied Europe. There is a growing indication that Germany herself is feeling the pinch. She is worried by the difficulty of draining supplies from the countries she has occupied. The Financial News oomments that there is a marked deterioration in the food situation in Germany which is a surprise to the United Nations. Destroyed Principal Larder Informed circles are of the opinion that this food deterioration is largely Germany's own responsibility. She made a fatal blunder when she invaded the Balkanß and attacked the Soviet Union through south-eastern and eastern Europe, for there was her principal larder. The Yugoslav and Ukraine campaigns in 1941 resulted in the destruction of large quantities of food which otherwise would have been available for Germany. The present fighting in those areas creates difficulty in transporting such supplies as are available, and even the most optimistic German experts do not anticipate that they will be able to obtain food supplies from the Ukraine before 1943. Although Germany believed that she could squeeze food from her subject races, the quantities obtained are below her expectations, and, in spite of her ruthless exploitation, it is not sufficient to secure an adequate diet for the German people. Winter Damages Drops The 1942 crop forecasts from Germanoccupied Europe are far from satisfactory, and the hard winter destroyed a large part of the potato crop in Germany, and affected other crops. But it would be foolish to expect an early collapse in Germany on account of the food situation, yet an inadequate diet is bound to slow down the German arms output. The authorities to-day must provide food for some 10,000,000 more people than they had before the war, taking into account imported labour, repatriated Germans, the normal rise in population, and prisoners of war. It is believed that one in every four is employed in agriculture, while married women and girls living at home are conscripted for field work. Italy's Sad Plight Italy is also making a desperate effort to cultivate food, because her sowings last year were 20 to 40 per cent below normal, and the severe winter played havoc with her potato crop. While nobody sympathises with the Axis food shortage, it is an unhappy corollary that the occupied countries are . also suffering. Reports from Norway state that the presence of 200,000 German troops has created an acute food problem about which Quisling's newspaper Frittfolk said: "We will be facing famine if we do not fully exert ourselves and produce more food." Turkey is also experiencing food difficulties as a result of last vear's deficient crops, and, in spite of the 70,000 tons of wheat imported through the United Kingdom Comnfercial Corporation, the Turkish Government has been compelled to adopt drastic measures to preserve supplies for the Army. Thus, in addition to the cruelties and savagery that the Germans have imposed oh Europe, there now stalks the Eectre of hunger. It is comfort to the iropean peoples to realise that the Germans themselves are short. Germany's food position in 1942 may be compared with that of 1917.

CABLES IN BRIEF

| No RaiOS Bmam.— mere was no ! enemy air actf»ity over Britain last night. Nurses' Sift of £lo,ooo—Nurses throughout Britain on the occasion of Florence Nightingale Day have donated £IO,OOO for the purchase of two night fighters to defend the hospitals of Britain. Sabotage in Trance. —A Vichy report savs more attempts have been made to sabotage the railway near Parthenay, which is used by Germans stationed on the Atlantic coast. Earlier this week a train was wrecked by a mine near Parthenay. Canadian Ship for Russia.—The Canadian Department of External Affairs announced that the Canadian ice-breaker Mont Calm has arrived safely in Northern Russia and will remain in the service of the Soviet for the duration of the war. Russian Guard for Duke.—A company of Russian soldiers wearing white gloves formed a guard of honour at an aerodrome when the Duke of Gloucester arrived in Teheran. This was the first time Red Army soldiers had paraded before a member of the British Royal Family. Norwegian Ambassador. —The Nor- j

wegian Minister to Washington, M. Wiihelm Munthe de Morgenstierne, presented to President Roosevelt credentials raising him to the status of Ambassador. M. Morgenstierne was accompanied to the White House by the Norwegian Crown Prince Olaf and the Prime Minister, M. Nygaardsvold. Philippines President.—The President of the Philippines, Dr. Manuel Quezon, arrived in Washington by train, and was personally welcomed at Union Station by President Roosevelt. Dr. Quezon was accompanied by his wife and three children, the Vice-President of the Philippines, Senor S. Osmena, and members of his Cabinet. Frenchman's Gloomy Prediction.— The former French Minister for Air, M. Pierre'Cot, predicted at a press conference that La-al will soon draw France into combatant war against the Allies, unless the United States can find a way to bring aid and moral comfort to the organised workers in Franco, who form the strongest opposition against Nazi control. Award ol V.O. —The South African j airman Squadron-Leader John Nettleton has received the Victoria Cross at an investiture held by the King. Squadron-Leader Nettleton was the leader of one of two formations of British bombers that recently caused heavy damage in an attack on the sub-marine-engine workshops at Augsburg, in southern Germany, Germany Now Ready.—"Germany, whose chemical industry has uncontested world leadership, is now ready." announced the Berlin radio. Germany had always aimed at the chivalrous conduct of the war, but Britain, by opening the blockade against German women and children, compelled Germany to begin total economic war. Britain also started the air war against peaceful German towns and villages," the broadcast alleged. Congress Members Arraigned.—Tho Union for Democratic Action and the magazine the New Republic have jointly launched a political drive against "dangerous obstructionists in Congress." The New Republic published a special 32-page supplement demanding the ousting of 29 specified members of Congress, who were described as "dispensers of Nazi propaganda, almost conscious Fascists, clearly acting for the interests of the Axis, and leaders of attacks against President Roosevelt and against Labour.'*