Starvation in Germany The evil that was done by the
enforced migration of millions of Germans from Poland and Czechoslovakia cannot be undone, but quick and drastic measures will be necessary if its consequences in starvation, demoralisation and spreading disease are to stop short of a European disaster. In a meeting at the Conway Hall last Monday it was urged that in the first place further expulsions from Poland and Czechoslovakia must cease, and secondly that a common policy must be worked out to provide for the housing and feeding in the British and American zones of the refugees now wandering homeless in the Russian zone. In regard to the second point, it has in fact been decided to organise a mass-migration of 2,000n00 German refugees into the British zone, beginning this month, and of a similar number into the American zone. This transfer of starving and disease- ridden people will be a formidable task, and will call for the pro- vision of more food in the British and American zones. It must be accomplised if a breakdown on a colossal scale is to be avoided. Sir Arthur Salter maintains that the task of finding and transporting the food is not impossible if other countries co-operate to the full with Great Britain. But a resolution adopted at the Conway Hall, proposing the voluntary surrender of coupons by persons in this country, is a gesture rather than a solution of the problem, and if carried out on a large scale would merely add this country to those that are suffering from malnutrition. This is a matter which demands and can only be dealt with by Governmental organisation.
