military department and consequent fluctuations of the system--was
largely upset by very extensive smuggling operations, carried on
more particularly from Galicia. As such smuggling avoided the high
export duty, the maximum prices appointed by the Ukrainian
Government were constantly being overbid. This smuggling was also
in many cases assisted by elements from Vienna; altogether the
nervousness prevailing in many leading circles in Vienna, and
frequently criticising our own organisation in public, or
upsetting arrangements before they could come into operation, did
a great deal of damage. It should also be mentioned that Germany
likewise carried on a great deal of unofficially assisted
smuggling, with ill effects on the official import organisation,
and led to similar conditions on our own side.
Despite all obstacles, the machinery established, as will be seen
from the following survey, nevertheless succeeded in getting not
inconsiderable quantities of foodstuffs into the states concerned,
amounting in all to about 42,000 wagons, though unfortunately the
quantities delivered did not come up to the original expectations.
SURVEY OF THE IMPORTS FROM UKRAINE DATING FROM COMMENCEMENT OF
IMPORTATION (SPRING, 1918) TO NOVEMBER, 1918.
I. Foodstuffs obtained by the War Grain Transactions Department
(corn, cereal products, leguminous fruits, fodder, seeds):
Total imported for the contracting states
(Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey) 113,421 tons
Of which Austria-Hungary received 57,382 "
Grain and flour amounting to 46,225 "
II. Articles obtained by the Austrian Central Purchasing Company:
Of which
Austria-Hungary
Total received:
Butter, fat, bacon 3,329,403 kg. 2,170,437 kg.
Oil, edible oils 1,802,847 " 977,105 "
Cheese, curds 420,818 " 325,103 "
Fish, preserved fish, herrings 1,213,961 " 473,561 "
Cattle 105,542 head 55,421 head
(36,834,885 kg.) (19,505,760 kg.)
Horses 98,976 head 40,0
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