America and Post-War Relief
A task which calls for colossal preparations without delay has been allotted by President Roosevelt to Mr. Herbert Lehman, the retiring Governor of New York State. It is that of organising American participation in th work of furnishing relief to victims of war in liberated countries. Long ago Great Britain began to lay plans and ear-mark reserves of food in various parts of the World to feed the hungry nations after the war, and representatives of the Allied Governmen,s have been preparing lists of the require- ments of their nationals with a view to allotting priorities of supply. But the need has been growing almost beyond the worst expecta- tion. The ruthless depredations of the enemy have left famine in Greece, Poland, occupied Russia and other countries, and there is increasing need in all the occupied countries, including France, and a grievous lack throughout Europe of the means of restarting agriculture and other essential industries. The desired end cannot be attained without the full co-operation of the United States, and the action of President Roosevelt ensures not only that his country will co-operate but that it will take the lead ; and it is suggested that Governor Lehman may in effect become relief administrator for the world. In taking this important step the American Govern- ment is beginning active preparations for the first post-war measures which the United Nations will have to undertake—measures which may be regarded as bridging the gulf from war to reconstruction and likely to lead to the latter stage by stage.
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