Description:

Hoover Herbert

Herbert Hoover Decides How to Feed Vanquished German Population after World War I

 

HERBERT HOOVER, Endorsement signed on typed drafts on feeding Germans, c. March 1919.  7 pp., various sizes, from 8.5" x 11" to 8.25" x 13".

 

This collection of typed drafts reflects the Allies’ efforts to develop a way to feed the German people until the next harvest allowed them to meet their own needs. While these decisions undoubtedly saved millions of lives, they also sowed the seeds of resentment that the Nazis later manipulated.

 

Excerpts

[1 Preamble to American Resolutions Regarding the Supply of Foodstuffs to Germany]

[In Hoover’s hand:] “Preliminary Drafts by HH on German feeding leading to Supreme War Councils action on March 8, 1919.”

            “1. The food situation in Europe requires the use of the German mercantile fleet at once.

            “2. Assurance of regular and limited food to Germany will not affect the political conditions of peace.

            “3. Germany can only pay [Insertion in Hoover’s hand: from ? assetts and] if her population can get into production and export of commo  dities.

            “4. Germany will collapse and peace will be impossible if such assurances of food and productivity is not immediately given.”

[In Hoover’s hand, then stricken with vertical lines:] “The Supreme Economic Council is requested to formulate a definite plan for submission to the Supreme War Council tomorrow.”

 

[2 American Resolutions Regarding the Supply of Foodstuffs to Germany]

“1.- It is agreed that Germany must receive regular monthly imports of food until next harvest for humanitarian reasons and if order and stability of the government are to be maintained, peace effected and reparation secured.”

“4.- It is agreed that Germany needs approximately 300,000 tons of food per month. This will require the use of 7-800,000 tons of shipping in constant employment, or any one-third (?) of their total tonnage.”

“5. (c) That she can use the outward voyage of the one-third of shipping for the export of commodities as well as exports to surrounding neutrals and allies;”

 

[3 Supreme Economic Council, “Surrender of German Ships and Conditions on Which Food Can be Supplied”]

“Germany should be informed that:

“1. She is bound by the terms of the Armistice to hand over her mercantile forthwith, under the terms settled at Treves in January last.

“2. On grounds of humanity, the Associated Governments reiterate their decision to deliver to Germany the food now available in Europe for which payment has been arranged as soon as Germany shows her genuine intention to carry out her obligations referred to in the first paragraph, by sending to sea for that purpose the ships to be selected by the Associated Governments, and the Associated Governments will themselves provide (as quickly as transportation can be arranged) or will give permits for import from neighbouring neutrals for the balance of the month’s supply, that is, of 270,000 tons agreed on, as soon as at least ____ ships have been similarly sent to sea, and as soon as payment for such food has been arranged.”

“6. A definite amount of the shipping handed over will be continuously available to transport food to Germany until next harvest.”

“8. It is understood that the declaration of the Associated Governments under this communication will be null and void, should a state of hostilities be renewed.”

 

[4]

“It is agreed that Germany must receive regular monthly imports of food until next harvest for humanitarian reasons and if order and stability of government are to be maintained, peace effected and reparation secured.”

“The Germans should be required to hand over this fleet in accordance with the Armistice terms and the agreement entered into at Treves in January. The food situation in Europe requires the immediate use of the German mercantile fleet at once, not only for the transportation of food to Germany but for the relief of liberated countries.”

 

Historical Background

World War I was one of the most devastating events in human history. While farm land in Europe was abandoned or destroyed, American farms flourished. To combat starvation in Europe, President Woodrow Wilson created the United States Food Administration by executive order. Under the direction of Herbert Hoover, it became one of the most efficient and successful governmental initiatives in American history. During the war and reconstruction, this agency sent nearly 17,000 tons of food to Europe, worth more than $5 billion.

 

Germany signed an armistice on November 11, 1918, but the Treaty of Versailles officially ending the war was not signed until June 28, 1919. Historians estimate that during those intervening seven months, 100,000 people died in Germany.  Some food supplies began to arrive in Hamburg in late March, but it was not enough.

 

In the April 1, 1919, issue of the American Relief Administration Bulletin, Hoover published a brief article entitled “Why We are Feeding Germany.” Hoover gave many reasons for the decision, from the point of view of an economist, a governor, a peace negotiator, a reconstructionist, a humanitarian, “our Secretary of War,” the American Treasurer, and a negotiator of the Armistice. He concluded, “Let us not befog our minds with the idea that we are feeding Germany out of charity. She is paying for her food.... We and our children must live with these seventy million Germans. No matter how deeply we may feel at the present moment, our vision must stretch over the next hundred years and we must write now into history such acts as will stand creditably in the minds of our grandchildren.”

 

 

Condition: Text clear and dark; some marginal tears not affecting text, paper clip indentations, and one metal corner clip holding two leaves together.

 

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