The Pittsburgh Press (February 19, 1946)
Simms: Next 180 days
By William Philip Simms
WASHINGTON – The next 180 days are likely to be the most crucial in post-war history. With the entire world in flux, they should tell us pretty well which way mankind is headed – whether toward peace or more bloodshed.
Food will be one of the chief determinants. For, while the international situation is in the balance, and the domestic scene in one country after another teeters between hope for restoration and fear of political upheaval, three-quarters of the earth’s population faces hunger. From time immemorial, empty stomachs have spelled unrest.
President Truman and the State Department have focused attention on the plight of Europe. Unless Europe gets bread, the president said, “we may lose some of the foundations of order on which the hope for world-wide peace may rest.”
Undersecretary of State Acheson stated that more than 125 million people across the Atlantic will have to get along on less than 2000 calories a day. About 28 million will get less than 1500 a day and some even 1000 or less. And that means disease and death for many.
Asia will be hit harder
But Asia will be even harder hit. A delegation from India is now in London en route to the United States to ask for aid. Many of that country’s 400 million face starvation before summer. The Washington office of the government of India informed me that famine will hit a population about equal to that of the United States in the next 90 days. Their only salvation lies in outside aid, especially in wheat and rice.
Madras, Mysore and the area around Delhi are principally affected. First there was a disastrous cyclone and tidal wave in some of the richest districts of Southern India. Next came a severe drought drying up lakes, rivers and large reservoirs, and stopping large power houses.
Millions already are living under famine conditions. Many now receive less than 1500 calories a day. Food reserves will be exhausted by May, according to a wire from Sir S. V. Ramamurthi, food adviser in Madras, and unless relief comes in time, “deaths might be counted in millions.”
In 1943, some 1½ million people died in the Bengal famine. Yet the food shortage there was not as severe as that now experienced in Madras, Mysore and other parts of India.
This time, however, thanks to better control and distribution, the number of victims hardly will be proportionate. But, barring a miracle, they will be considerate.
Political unrest almost everywhere
Conditions among China’s 450 million also are disturbing. The Japs occupied most of the arable land and the movement of armies back and forth across the country cut production. Droughts in North Africa, Australia and Argentina have further reduced the total world supply.
As if famine weren’t enough in Europe, Asia and Africa, political unrest is almost everywhere present. Together, they make a highly explosive combination which subversive elements are exploiting to make trouble for already hard-pressed governments.
The international situation being what it is, the whole thing adds up to a powder train with vicious sparks sputtering all about it.