862.6131/9–1247
The Under Secretary of State (Lovett) and the Under Secretary of War (Draper) to the Secretary of Agriculture (Anderson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: With reference to the public statement made by you while in Germany last July that shipments of cereals in total amount of 3,600,000 tons would be made from the United States to Bizonal Germany between July 1, 1947 and June 30, 1948, the State and War Departments join in supporting this position and in requesting that allocations be made by you in such minimum amount.
Our understanding is that such proposed allocations refer to total product weight, not to tonnage stated merely in wheat equivalent in view of the high extraction rate used in Bizonal Germany.
This amount of grain will be required to maintain the present inadequate 1550 calorie ration.
Recent provisional estimates of United States grain exports for the present crop year under present procurement policy have been reduced to figures below the 14,500,000 tons announced as a possibility in July.
The State and War Departments are gravely concerned over this situation. Continued crop deterioration in several European countries, as well as in the United States, has made it apparent that the shortage is now seriously threatening the success of the United States Foreign Policy.
We have a direct responsibility in Germany, but at the same time our interest in other countries, particularly those now participating in the Paris Conference, is no less real or urgent. On the basis of the growing need in these areas we are convinced that total exports of cereals from the United States must be no less than 14,500,000 tons.
Sincerely yours,
- Robert A. Lovett
- William H. Draper, Jr.