No. 929
Editorial Note
Beginning July 9 unusual rain and melting snow caused heavy floods in the Danube River basin resulting in the loss of lives, the destruction of homes, and the devastation of farm crops in Austria. On August 12, President Eisenhower issued a memorandum offering up to $4 million worth of agricultural commodities for emergency assistance to the flood-stricken areas of Central Europe. The first shipment of United States relief cargo comprised of fodder corn was sent to Austria in early September, followed by others in subsequent weeks. Theodor Koerner, the President of Austria, sent President Eisenhower a letter thanking the American people for their generosity; the text of this letter was released by the White House on September 4. For texts of various Department of State and White House press releases concerning the floods in Central Europe, see Department of State Bulletin, August 2, 1954, page 165; August 9, 1954, page 197; and October 4, 1954, pages 490–491. For text of the White House announcement concerning the food commodity assistance, see ibid., August 23, 1954, page 271; for text of President Koerner’s letter, see ibid., October 11, 1954, page 540.