865.5018/10–1147
The Italian Ambassador (Tarchiani) to the Acting Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Lovett: I have received with deep concern the note of the Department dated October 8, 1947, regarding the grain allocations [Page 992] to Italy from the United States. I have particularly given full attention to what is stated in the note regarding the considerations of the Department as to the increase of consumption of grain which has occurred in Italy during the month of July and as to the fact that the table attached to my note of September 16, indicates a monthly consumption up to the present semester at a rate of 400,000 tons.
I deem it necessary therefore to clarify the situation of the needs for grain in Italy.
It is known that Italy, as well as other European countries, has suffered this year from a very poor season and as a consequence has grown less crops.
The import requirement for the consumption year of 1947–1948 had been estimated at 2,900,000 tons. On the other hand all possible sources of supply from abroad are becoming more and more limited: in fact it is now almost certain that Canada, as a result of a very low production, will be unable to supply the quantity of 100,000 tons as it was estimated in the Italian Government’s plans. Supplies from Argentina are being received at a very low rate, and it is doubtful, owing to transportation difficulties, that the estimated amount of 500,000 tons will be provided. There are no other sources from which the Italian Government can hope to receive substantial shipments of cereals.
The allocations from the United States having been limited to 115,000 tons monthly, it has been necessary for Italy, in order to meet the rations required, to draw at a dangerous rate from the local sources which are rapidly running towards exhaustion.
Regarding the estimate of consumption of 400,000 tons of grain monthly during the current semester, it is necessary to remark that during the month of July there was in Italy an increase of cereal consumption due to the infractions of government regulations and to a rush movement of wheat from producing to consuming provinces, and it was feared that the same conditions would have prevailed during the immediate future months.
However, the prompt and strong action taken by the Government, through severe punishment of violators and through a widespread persuasive campaign had immediate results. Final returns of consumption during the month of August have shown that the situation is again under control and consumption has dropped to 382,000 tons. Provisional returns for the month of September indicate even better results, since consumption is estimated to be further lowered and reach 370,000 tons, which means not only a full compliance with rationing requirements, but also some savings in distribution losses.
As to the Department’s remark concerning the contrast between Italy’s consumption previsions and the reductions which are taking [Page 993] place in other countries, I must emphasize that Italy has preceded other countries in reducing the already extremely low rations, since she was forced to reduce the “pasta” ration by 50% as of December 1946 and has been unable ever since to restore it. Furthermore, the bread ration had to be modified in order to make the maximum possible use of coarse cereals. The bread ration now being distributed is composed of 200 grams of bread, containing from 15% to 20% coarse cereals, and of 35 grams of corn flour.
At the same time the hardships suffered by the Italian people should be fully measured, namely by appraising the meaning of cereals in the Italian food consumption. In fact, cereals represent from 60% to 70% of the Italian diet. Italy ranks foremost in cereal consuming countries, and the effects of a reduction in her cereal intake cannot be compared with those occurring in countries where diets are based mainly on foods other than cereals.
I have therefore the honor to call again your kind attention to the extreme serious situation developing in Italy.
I voice my confidence that further consideration will be given to Italy’s need for cereals, with the hope that the food savings campaign so generously undertaken in the United States will make available larger supplies in the immediate future so that allocations to Italy be brought as far as possible nearer to 200,000 tons monthly.
Please accept [etc.]1
- No reply was made to this note. A memo by Leo I. Highby, International Resources Division, dated January 5, 1948, not printed, indicates that the note went first to IR, and was then borrowed by another division and not returned until December 30 by which time a formal reply would have been “awkward”, and in any case there had been frequent consultations between officials of the Department and of the Italian Embassy on the problem. (FW 865.5018/10–1147)↩