Congress Hears Appeal for Sending of Food to Starving People in Occupied Countries

An appeal to President Roosevelt and to Winston Churchill to modify the United Nations’ blockade of Europe so as to permit the shipment of food to the starving population of Poland and other Nazi-Occupied countries was made from the floor of the House by Representative Harold Knutson, Minnesota Republican.

“The technical problems are very simple and can easily be handled if England and the United States will agree to the principle,” Congressman Knutson said. He quoted a statement from the State Department saying that the U.S. Government receives regular reports through the Swedish Government that the food shipments which are being sent to Axis-occupied Greece for the starving population there are being distributed under the auspices of the International Red Cross “without interference by the occupation authorities.” The same procedure, he said, could be arranged for Poland and other Nazi-held lands.

Congressman Knutson disclosed that he and Congressman Herter from Massachusetts had a conference last Tuesday with Herbert H. Lehman, Director of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations, regarding the question of sending food to Nazi-occupied countries. “We found Governor Lehman sympathetic and willing to do all in his power to give aid,” he said. “His was an excellent choice for that important position. Unfortunately for the sufferers in other lands, Governor Lehman is almost helpless in this crisis, as he has no voice in policy making. That rests with Messrs. Roosevelt and Churchill alone. One word from either of them would banish all the horrors of famine and pestilence from Poland, Finland, Norway, Denmark and the Low Countries. Will they arise to the occasion?”