File No. 763.72112/2748
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 25, 3.15 p. m.]
4150. Department’s 3208, July 20. Following is a further report of Doctor Taylor on milk supply in Germany:
Since the date of my previous report on the subject of the milk supply of Germany all information that has come to me confirms the statement made at that time that there is no scarcity of milk in Germany of such degree as to involve to a material extent the health and nutrition of nursing mothers, infants, healthy and sick children in Germany. There is an appreciably larger [Page 968] milk supply now than there was at the time of that report. In addition, appreciably larger importations of dried milk are now being made. For use as a beverage by adults there is a scarcity of milk, and in cooking there is indeed, in some districts, in certain sections of the densely populated industrial areas, such scarcity of milk as to reduce the amount that would naturally be used in the diet of sick adults. As an illustration of the last fact, it has been stated in the public press that in the city of Frankfort on the Main milk may be used in the diet of sick adults only on the prescription of the attending physician. I have traveled extensively through Germany since the date of the last report and have attempted in every way open to me as an attaché of this Embassy to obtain information on this matter. If there be such scarcity of milk as to involve the health and nutrition of infants and children, then this fact is being most carefully and effectively concealed by officials, institutions, physicians, and statisticians. I am unable to believe that such a state of affairs exists. Every inconvenience in the management of the German kitchen resultant upon the blockade, every scarcity in a particular foodstuff, every inequality in the distribution of the foodstuffs is a matter of open comment and discussion. It is impossible to believe that a scarcity in the supply of milk for infants and children could escape publicity and discussion. Furthermore, it is not to be believed that such a state of affairs could escape observation. I therefore have the honor to report that there is no evident or ascertainable basis for the statement that the milk supply in Germany has been so reduced as to be insufficient for the maintenance of the health and nutrition of infants and children within the German Empire.
The foregoing report is dated July 24, 1916.