The Dominion. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1914. THE FOOD PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1914. THE FOOD PROBLEM

The. Germans, we are told, are getting short of food. It is, of course, impossible for any nation to carry on a war for any length of time if there is a shortage of the necessaries of life. As far as food supplies are concerned, Germany is undoubtedly in a much less fortunate position than either France or Russia, or Britain, though is difficult to_ speak with anything like certainty of'her exact position in this respect, because sufficient information as to the preparations made by the German Government is not available. A good deal of light is thrown on this matter by the Berlin correspondent of the Economist, who did not leave Germany until •the-second day after' Britain's declaration of war. After describing some of the measures taken by_ the Government to cope with the situation, ho states that they "willsave Germany from complete financial ruin only in tho oase of decided victory. What will follow on defeat or even a long-drawn-out war it is hardly possible to imagine." As he passed through the country on his way from Berlin to London the land appeared.to be deserted. Ifardly even a woman was to be seen in the fields, and yet it should havo been the busiest time of the whole year; but the school children, boy scouts, students, and others were being organised for harvesting purposes, and it was intended to put .the city unemployed to work in tho fields. It is estimated that about a third of ' the wheat consumed in Germany comes from abroad. Most of this will probably bo cut off, but as Germany produces more than sufficient rye for its own needs the suVplus of rye will make up in a large measure for the wheat shortage—that is if the harvests can be successfully gathered. As soon as the war began the production in factories and workshops was enormously restricted, and it was estimated that between 50 per cent. and. 75 per cent, of the workers would be called away during the 'first stages of-the conflict; but, judging by the tremendous strain which the successes of the Allies have placed upon the military resources of Germany, it is probable that the industries of the country have suffered even more severely than was at first -anticipated. There is as yet no sign of that "decided victory" which alone can save Germany .from complete financial .ruin. In fact, the indications arc strongly in the direction of defeat.

The harvests . and industries of France/are very much in the same position as those of Germany; but .Britain's sea power has enabled the French to keep their ports open and to make up for any shortage in food production by securing extra supplies from overseas. Britain's own food supply is quite safe as long as she holds the command of the sea. So far her naval supremacy remains unchallenged, and those best able to judge are quite confident that our Navy.is well able to dispose of the soa forces of the enemy. Mb. Chiozza Money states that there is not the slightest need for the. people to worry about theiv supplies. _ The only food which came to Britain in largo quantities from the two enemy countries is. sugar. The United Kingdom is far more self-supporting in the way of food than most people are aware. Of the kinds of food which can bo grown in the country the United Kingdom itself produws enough to supply more than one-half, of its needs, and tho following import figures for the'year 1913 will show that the war wiU not seriously interfere with supplies obtained trom abroad: — WHEAT. Whoatcn Wheat. flour. Cut. Cwt. British Empire 50,700,000 ■1,500,000 TJ S \ 31,100,000 0,200,000 •Irßontina 11,600,000 200,000 Russia 5,000,000 Best of World 1,300,000 1,100,000 i' Total 105,900,000 12,000,000

FROZEN MUTTON. • Cvrt. British Empire 3,900,000 Argentina . 1,000,000 Other countries 300,000 Total ; 5,200,000 BACON. Ot. British Empire - 200,000 Denmark .' 2,300,000 U.S.A 1,800,000 Russia 200,000 Other places -100,000 Total 4,900,000 BUTTER AND CHEESE. Butter. Cluwse. Cwt. Cwt. British Emniro £00,000 1,800,000 Denmark " 1,700,000 — Russia 700,000 — Sweden 300,000 — Holland 100,000 300,000 France 200.000 — Other places 400,000 200,000 Total 4,200,000 2,300,000 In summing up the position, Me. Chiozza Money rcmarks_ that tho people of the United Kingdom can nave every confidence that their food supply is safe. As long as Britain can maintain her supremacy on tho sea, no foe can starve her into submission, and her ships and seamen are just as fit to do all that is required of them as they were- when Nelson and his men fought and won the battle of Trafalgar. A long-drawn-out war would, of course, put a severe strain on the resources of the British Empire, but it would bo absolutely disastrous to Germany. The London Statist, which agrees with the view of the Economist as to the inability of Germany to stand a prolonged struggle, doubts whether it would bo possible for any of the Continental Powers to continue such a war as the present for three years. "If they could do so they would practically exhaust themselves."