May 22, 1945
Dear:
Judge Rosenman's report of which you have a copy has pointed out the extremely
serious economic situation in the liberated countries of Northwest Europe. The report confirms
in strong terms the need for action on the part of this Government.
In brief the report points out the following:
(1) A dangerously low level of nutrition exists generally in these liberated countries except in the
rural, food raising areas. The production of coal is not meeting even minimum requirements. The
means of internal transportation by rail, canal and highway have suffered substantially from
looting and destruction. What are left have been largely devoted to Allied military use. Ports
have suffered extensive damage from bombing and demolition. Manufacturing has been
paralyzed by destruction or damage, lack of raw materials, and inadequate plant maintenance.
(2) The needs of the liberated countries of Northwest Europe are grave--not only from a
humanitarian point of view, but also because they necessarily involve many internal and
international political considerations. To a great extent the future permanent peace of Europe
depends upon the restoration of the economy of these liberated countries, including a reasonable
standard of living and employment. United States economy, too, will be deeply affected unless
these areas again resume their place in the international exchange of goods and services. A
chaotic and hungry Europe is not fertile ground in which stable, democratic and friendly
governments can be reared.
(3) Just as the United States has been the largest producer of the United Nations in wartime, so
will it naturally be looked to as the principal source of civilian supplies for these countries.
It is the established policy of this Government to accept this responsibility as far as it is possible
to do so.
As a matter of national policy, therefore, I request your agency to grant the priority necessary to
meet the minimum civilian requirements of those of our Allies who have been ravaged by the
enemy to the fullest extent that the successful prosecution of military operations and the
maintenance of our essential domestic economy permit.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
NOTE: This is the text of identical letters addressed to J. A. Krug, Chairman, War Production
Board; Marvin Jones, Administrator, War Food Administration; Harold L. Ickes, Administrator,
Solid Fuels Administration for War; and Leo Crowley, Chairman, Foreign Shipments
Committee.
A summary of Judge Rosenman's report to President Truman on the problem of civilian supplies
for the liberated areas of Northwest Europe, released by the White House on April 30, 1945, is
published in the Department of State .Bulletin (vol. 12, p. 860).
Dear:
Judge Rosenman's report of which you have a copy has pointed out the extremely
serious economic situation in the liberated countries of Northwest Europe. The report confirms
in strong terms the need for action on the part of this Government.
In brief the report points out the following:
(1) A dangerously low level of nutrition exists generally in these liberated countries except in the
rural, food raising areas. The production of coal is not meeting even minimum requirements. The
means of internal transportation by rail, canal and highway have suffered substantially from
looting and destruction. What are left have been largely devoted to Allied military use. Ports
have suffered extensive damage from bombing and demolition. Manufacturing has been
paralyzed by destruction or damage, lack of raw materials, and inadequate plant maintenance.
(2) The needs of the liberated countries of Northwest Europe are grave--not only from a
humanitarian point of view, but also because they necessarily involve many internal and
international political considerations. To a great extent the future permanent peace of Europe
depends upon the restoration of the economy of these liberated countries, including a reasonable
standard of living and employment. United States economy, too, will be deeply affected unless
these areas again resume their place in the international exchange of goods and services. A
chaotic and hungry Europe is not fertile ground in which stable, democratic and friendly
governments can be reared.
(3) Just as the United States has been the largest producer of the United Nations in wartime, so
will it naturally be looked to as the principal source of civilian supplies for these countries.
It is the established policy of this Government to accept this responsibility as far as it is possible
to do so.
As a matter of national policy, therefore, I request your agency to grant the priority necessary to
meet the minimum civilian requirements of those of our Allies who have been ravaged by the
enemy to the fullest extent that the successful prosecution of military operations and the
maintenance of our essential domestic economy permit.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
NOTE: This is the text of identical letters addressed to J. A. Krug, Chairman, War Production
Board; Marvin Jones, Administrator, War Food Administration; Harold L. Ickes, Administrator,
Solid Fuels Administration for War; and Leo Crowley, Chairman, Foreign Shipments
Committee.
A summary of Judge Rosenman's report to President Truman on the problem of civilian supplies
for the liberated areas of Northwest Europe, released by the White House on April 30, 1945, is
published in the Department of State .Bulletin (vol. 12, p. 860).