RELIEF FOOD FOR EUROPE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLX, Issue 22028, 30 July 1941, Page 5

RELIEF FOOD FOR EUROPE

How It Aids Germany

Motor Fuel Frbih Potatoes

An article published by the Czechoslovak National Council of America explains “why you cannot supervise the distribution of relief fdod.” . The British, it sets forth, offer as one reason for their strict maintenance of their blockade the tact that virtually any kind of food delivered to occupied territories can provide raw materials for German munitions, though the food itself may all be consumed in the country to which it is consigned. Even vitamins sent from America can help to fuel U-boats iff the Atlantic Ocean. That may sound fantastic, but let us consider by way of illustration one or two examples of possible relief shipments sent to succour the victims of German aggression: A ship arrives in Antwerp with its cargo of wheat. The loading has been carefully supervised. The American relief organisation has an agreement with the British Ministry of Economic Warfare that if any part of the consignment should find its way to Germany ho further shipment shall be made. A promise has been obtained from the Germans that no attempt Will be made to divert these supplies and that they will be used entirely for the people of Belgium. Supervising the unloading and distribution is the American Relief Commissioner. He is a man of the greatest Integrity of purpose. He is determined to see that no part of the food leaves the country and that under the strictest supervision it is used to the utmost advantage by the people to whom it was delivered. Through his elaborate organisation he follows every step in its distribution from the quayside to the homes of the destitute, fulfilling his tremendous task praiseworthily.

He is able, with complete confidence and absolute truth, to inform the United States Government that the distribution has been made ih exactly the way in which the American humanitarians had intended It should be. He informs the British Government that everything has been carried on according to the specifications accepted by it. He reports that the German authorities ih Belgium willingly submitted to his most careful supervision, allowing a certain number of tong of wheat to be delivered to Brussels, some to Liege, to Namur, and to each of the towns and villages; consequently not on ounce crossed the frontier; not a grain was diverted into Germany.

In Berlin, however, Dr Funk is congratulating himself on having procured enough petrol to enable hundreds of bombers and fighters to raid London every night during -the succeeding weeks; moreover, this has been delivered free of charge by the American Relief.

What is the connection between wheat and petrol? If there is any, how has this leakage occurred in spite of the American Relief Commissioner’s good work? In order not to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, represented by the relief shipment. Dr Funk does not, on this Occasion, touch Belgian’s wheat. Instead he requisitions the nutritional equivalent in potatoes, of which the American Commissioner can have no knowledge and over which he has no control. In doing SO he is able to remove m potatoes nearly four times the weight of the wheat—the food value of potatoes being nearly a quarter that of wheat. But potatoes yield a very high percentage of alcohol. German ersatz factories are able to convert them into high-grade alcohol for road transport—thus releasing more petroleum to be converted into high-grade aviation fuel.

As a result the, German air force launches further heavy raids upon London. Dr Goebbels virtuously praises the Americans for being generous people. He also praises the Germans, because they have honoured the contract and have seen to it that only the Belglums benefit by the relief shipment of wheat!