ABSTRACT
Scholars specialized in the politics of the Wilson administration are convinced that anti-communism and anti-radicalism were major determinants of US foreign policy at the end of World War I. Although the United States acknowledged the Austrian need and accepted the humanitarian responsibility, two problems had to be solved before anyone in Austria could receive American food aid. The United States’ major allies pleaded for pooling all resources and for joint Allied control of supplies and deliveries. The US Congress, in an amendment to the European relief bill, had excluded all enemy powers from receiving American food on credit. This measure, which was aimed at Germany, particularly harmed Austria. Herbert Hoover protested against the amendment, but was unsuccessful. While food shipments to Hungary were stopped and all other relations cut, the changes in the political and economic system necessary for the renewal of relations on a friendly basis were made public.
