Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Joseph Grew to President Harry S. Truman, Latest Opinion Trends in the United States

May 12, 1945 LATEST OPINION TRENDS IN THE U.S.A. E ARCHIVES AND "NATIONAL SERVICE* RECORDS A. Food for Liberated Eurone money Majority says: U. S. SUPPLIES SHOULD REMAIN SAME AND SEND EUROPE WHATEVER WE CAN Although opinion polls have repeatedly shown, and still show, that about 90% of the people are willing to continue rationing in order to maintain the health of peoples freed from Axis control -- Only 24% say that we should cut our supplies fur- ther in order to send more food abroad, according to an April survey by the Princeton Office of Public Op- inion Research. (unpublished) The Princeton question and results follow: *Government authorities say the American people will have to get along on less food than we have now in or- der to help feed civilian people in European countries freed from the Nazis. Just how much food we should send is the problem. Which of these statements best expresses your opinion as to how much food we should provide these people in Europe?" 24% say *Our own supplies here at home should be further cut down and we should send more than we are now. 52% say *Keep our own supply about the way it is now and then send whatever we can. , 5% say "Keep more food for our own use and cut down the amount we are sending. 1,3%