851.5018/43: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 21—9:40 a.m.]
596. Department’s 484, September 17, 5 p.m. And my telegram 586 September 18, 5 p.m. I called on Caziot, the Minister of Agriculture, [Page 547] this afternoon and referred to our conversation on September 12 (my telegram 585 [555], September 12, 11 p.m.16). I asked whether the French Government has reached the agreement then under negotiations with the German Government with respect to quantities of foodstuffs to be turned over. He replied in the negative and stated that the Germans were quite unwilling to talk definite figures or commit themselves to specified limits. He said that an agreement of a different sort had however been reached which would be the subject of the communiqué quoted below to be issued today. It means “severe” rationing for the French population and he admitted that the figure is “approximately” 30 percent under German rations (see my telegram number 586, September 18, 5 p.m.).
In return for French rationing which will apply in both occupied and unoccupied territory the Germans have agreed to permit delivery to France of some wheat and potatoes. He admitted too that the Germans had taken “some” potatoes from unoccupied France (my telegram No. 577, September 16, 6 p.m.) in the recent past and he likewise admitted that the Germans had demanded delivery of a million hogs and at least half a million head of cattle but stated that the French had rejected these demands and had sufficiently impressed the Germans that livestock in these quantities could not be furnished; that pressure had temporarily at least been relaxed. He admitted further that they had endeavored to take considerable foodstuffs from unoccupied territory but claimed that the French had succeeded in keeping such purchases or requisitions down to relatively modest quantities and thought they had found means of checking further shipments. He said that French farm animals as a whole are now in number 25% below normal and the figure for horses “in view of the enormous German requisitioning of horses in the occupied territory” was even considerably higher. He said that frankly the French Government has no idea what the Germans had taken in the occupied territory but that the quantities were very considerable.
He read me then the original communiqué which he had proposed to issue on the subject of this agreement a number of passages of which the Germans had insisted on deleting. These passages referred to “massive requisitions by the Army of Occupation” and in general conveyed a truer picture to the French that the rationing agreement was the result of German dictation. In commenting he said: “The Germans do not want the agreement to appear to the public as a diktat but it is in reality a diktat and nothing else.”
In concluding our interview he emphasized the misery which will face France this winter and the hope that supplies would be forthcoming from overseas. He likewise hopes that the several hundred [Page 548] thousand tons of peanuts awaiting shipment at Dakar will be permitted by the British to pass Gibraltar. He said (I have heard from my Armistice Commission friend that the Germans are eager for the oil to be made from them) the Germans had agreed not to take this. He displayed, however, a healthy skepticism of all German assurances.
The French communiqué in the form approved by the Germans is as follows:
“The consequences of the war and the defeat now appear in their tragic reality; the Government is endeavoring by all means in its power to lessen the severity concerning food supplies but it can only do so within the limit of supplies which remain to us and by distributing them among all categories of Frenchmen.
Destruction of all sorts in the zone of war operations have greatly reduced the harvests, livestock and means of work. A portion of stocks have been destroyed or has deteriorated and large quantities of poultry and hogs have been lost in certain regions of the north and east. (The original stated they had been taken by the armies of occupation.) The production of milk has dropped in enormous proportion in view of the difficulties of trucking and the diminution in the number of milk cattle and in certain places on account of hoof and mouth disease.
To this must be added the misfortune of a bad crop, especially in the free zone and the loss of approximately two-thirds of our sugar production consequent upon the abandonment of beet culture during several weeks.
The English blockade only aggravates an already bad situation as regards certain foodstuffs. Thus, of an average annual per capita consumption of fats (butter, grease, oil) of 17 kilograms only 7 kilograms were produced in France, 10 kilograms coming from the colonies and abroad. The blockade has deprived us of imports and we are reduced to between 5 and 6 kilograms. Our deficiency in sugar, meat and dried vegetables has increased. There is a complete absence of exotic products such as rice and coffee. Soap can only be manufactured in very small quantities. We hope in every particular that imports may lessen this enormous deficiency.
It is pertinent to state that German occupation troops have agreed not to requisition in the occupied zone more than their needs in grains for the making of bread and part of the meat necessary while their supply of foods, sugar and potatoes shall be provided exclusively from the effective date of rationing by shipments from Germany.
It should also be added that French prisoners of war at present in Germany are fed by means of supplies emanating from German crops and stocks.
If a severe rationing were not established we would be faced with grave difficulties before the next harvest would be available.
In order to avoid, under present circumstances, intolerable injustices the establishment of ration cards will assure the same rights to each person whatever his position or fortune. It has been necessary to establish these rations on extremely severe bases which will be strictly controlled.
[Page 549]The hardship will in any case be very severe for everyone. Efforts will be made to increase the amount of rations as soon as possible. All foodstuffs which can be imported rapidly will be imported. The French Government confidently asks all Frenchmen to accept this ordeal with courage, discipline and dignity. Each one must do his duty by complying with the regulations which will be published on September 23 for private individuals and September 30 for restaurants.
The Government will see to strict compliance with these regulations.
The Marshal appeals to the spirit of solidarity, energy and courage of the peasants.
He asks them to make an exceptional effort to produce more and to lessen the privations with which all Frenchmen are faced.
If production is not increased rations will be reduced to a point which might seriously impair the general health of the country and in particular the development of its youth.”
The rations (which modify those with respect to sugar, macaroni, et cetera, rice and soap which have been in effect since the first of September) are the following: bread 350 grams a day; sugar 500 grams a month; coffee 300 grams mixed a month (children excepted); macaroni, et cetera, 250 grams a month; rice 100 grams a month (for children only); cheese 50 grams a week; fats 100 grams a week; butchers meat, pork sausage, et cetera, 360 grams a week; soap, 125 grams a month. Milk is likewise to be rationed but the amount is not yet given.
In the future restaurants will be required to request the corresponding coupons before serving their patrons.
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