851.5018/38: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—7:15 a.m.]
562. Department’s telegram No. 402, August 30, 6 p.m.7 It is extremely difficult to obtain accurate or definite data with respect to food transfers from France to Germany from either occupied or unoccupied France. Such transfers have undoubtedly taken place on a large scale from occupied France and I am convinced in not inconsiderable amounts from unoccupied France. Ther.3 has been no transfer of food from occupied to unoccupied France and such transfers are not [apparent omission] the Germans.
From Paris I learn that hardly a day goes by without stories of removal of supplies of both food and raw materials for industry from sources that would ordinarily be given full credence. Even accepting these stories with considerable reservation, it is certainly true that supplies of all kinds are being taken from France steadily and in considerable quantities. This includes especially all reserves of butter fats. On the other hand, while other edible vegetable and animal fats do not appear to have been taken in large quantities the residue of acid fats from the processing thereof has been taken to Germany and the French soap industry will soon be suffering from a marked shortage. Supplies on hand will carry soap factories in occupied France only until sometime late in October at the present rate of production of 30 percent of normal output. Meat has likewise been taken large quantities. There is an eye-witness account that on one day out of 1200 animals slaughtered at Paris 1000 carcasses were shipped to Germany. As a yardstick this percentage is probably exaggerated. Similarly large quantities of potatoes have been taken from occupied France: there were considerable stocks and this year’s crop was not too bad but commission agents state that stocks of potatoes are now quite low.
As for unoccupied France it is equally difficult to obtain reliable data. From the area around Lyon, I am told that there has been constant “pumping” of food and food products into the occupied zone and presumably to Germany. I have heard of a case where 12,000 head of sheep at Millau (Aveyron) were taken over by the Germans. Local cattle dealers at Lyon estimate that the shortage of fresh meat in the unoccupied zone will be severe within 2 or 3 months. The Belfort Kommandantur calls regularly at Lyon for fruit and vegetables and there are sizeable purchases of potatoes in Lyon and in Theisere. These may well be for the army of occupation rather than shipment [Page 543] to Germany. Of more importance is the statement made to me by an acquaintance connected with the Ministry of Agriculture that the Germans have demanded 1,000,000 head of cattle and 500,000 pigs from unoccupied France. My friend of the Armistice Commission has confirmed the above figure as to cattle but says that the number of pigs demanded from unoccupied France is 1,500,000. I regret the impossibility of giving more specific data at the present time. I shall continue to report any facts of importance which I am able to dig up. In this connection see my telegram No. 555, Sept. 12, 11 p.m.8