FEEDING EUROPE
Stit,—The suggestion that we shall voluntarily tighten our belts in order that more food may be sent to " starving Europe " is one which reflects great credit on the people of this country. I have recently returned after eleven months' service with one of the Military Hospitals of the B.L.A. During that time we progressed from Normandy to Schleswig-Holstein, and I must put it on record that I saw but little evidence of malnutrition amongst the populations through which we passed, and amongst which we lived. Doubtless there exists near-starvation in some of the cities (not only in Europe) ; but I venture to think that this might have been found also before the war.
The people of some of the liberated countries were always accounted heavy eaters, by our standards, and I have met individuals enjoying a dietary of more than 2,000 calories who honestly felt that they were starving—and said so. My purpose is to suggest that if belts have to be altruistically tightened in this country, the basis shall be a full and exact knowledge of the food position (including the Marches noirs) in the countries we wish to succour. A response to appeals based upon emotion would be equally creditable to us, but would increase unnecessarily the not inconsiderable hardship which exists in this country.
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