840.48/2663a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Stimson)14
You will convey the following to the Government to which you are accredited.
“The Government of the United States has noted with sympathy and apprehension the desperate conditions existing in various countries of Central Europe. Information would indicate that in Austria there is practically starvation; the population is apathetic as a result of under-nourishment and with industries closed through lack of raw material there is neither opportunity nor incentive to work. In Poland there is a dangerous shortage of food and in addition the terrible menace of disease. Typhus and other diseases are prevalent and the death rate among the under-nourished population must become appalling. In a lesser degree similar conditions prevail in Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia and Hungary.
In these circumstances every instinct of humanity calls for generous assistance but the issue is larger even than the humanitarian appeal. Unless Central Europe can be assisted to tide over the present crisis, chaos must ensue and the trade of all countries be affected for years to come. Unless these nations can be given the means of fighting disease there might well be such an epidemic involving [Page 266] the whole world as history has never known. In this crisis not only the Allied and associated nations but the neutrals who are equally in danger, should be generous in working for the common good. It is important that such assistance as may be given should not be in the form of charity but should be so administered as not only to save the lives of the people of Central Europe but to give them an opportunity to rebuild their industrial life. It is also essential that the assistance of the different nations be so co-ordinated that there shall neither be waste nor the supply of unnecessary materials to individual countries.
The American Grain Corporation has already contracted to supply on credit wheat flour as follows: 200,000 tons to Poland, including 100,000 tons already granted of which 20,000 tons have been shipped; 200,000 tons to Austria, 25,000 tons to Czechoslovakia and 15,000 tons to Hungary. These stocks are now awaiting shipment in American ports and will be transported by the British as part of the British extension of credit to Central European nations. It has been proved impossible to supply from the United States fats which are also greatly needed especially in Austria and Poland, but if these can be secured elsewhere, at least the minimum food requirements will have been met. It is therefore the earnest hope of this government that South American countries will be willing to make advances on credit of such fats as may prove necessary to complete the food program and such raw materials as are necessary to enable the industries of Central Europe to start again. Private initiative has accomplished something but the need of Central Europe is too great and the danger to the world too menacing in case political chaos and epidemics should grow out of the present conditions, for the Allied and neutral governments to assume a passive attitude. Certain European neutrals have already manifested their friendly interest in comprehensive plans of relief and rehabilitation. Credits for Austria would presumably be arranged through the Reparations Commission and for other countries directly with the governments.
It has been suggested that a meeting of representatives of the associated and neutral governments be held in Paris for the purpose of co-ordinating the possible program of the various countries with the definite and specific sales of the Grain Corporation. Such a meeting would be advisory in purpose since there appears no need for a large central administration which might have the effect of delaying shipments which must be made quickly. This Government will be grateful for an expression of opinion on the subject by the Argentine Government.[”]
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the representatives in Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.↩