Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Describes policy of Dutch Government toward Curaçao; island has little rain and is almost barren, but Dutch Government maintains colonies must be productive, not a source of expense, and does little to help; water the most precious commodity; all houses have tiled roofs on which water is collected during short rainy season but unless roof was large the supply collected was insufficient; artesian wells have been sunk all over island, but water brackish and fit only for irrigation; most foodstuffs must be imported; cattle from Venezuela and Colombia and flour and cornmeal from U.S.; when U.S. entered war food control came into effect and U.S. announced it could no longer send flour and cornmeal to Dutch, French, or British West Indies; pointed out to Government that other islands were to an extent self-supporting but to cut off supply of flour and cornmeal to Curacao would cause real distress; authorities immediately rescinded order, with provision that Consul was to act as agent of food administration and see that supplies did not go to enemy or unfriendly destinations; all coal likewise imported from U.S., and Consul was made responsible for its sale to see that it was used only by Allied ships or neutral ships carrying no enemy cargo.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.