GERMAN MEAT FAMINE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 9 August 1916, Page 3

GERMAN MEAT FAMINE.

An Eight Weeks' Fast Ordered. (Note —The following exclusive interview with Herr Von Batocki, Germany's new food dictator, is believed to be the first interview granted by Batocki sinc e he was appointed to office. It is a remarkably frank discussion of Germany's food problems. It is worthy of note that it was delayed several days in transmission, evidently having been held up by the German censor and given careful consideration before being passed.—The U.A. Press.) Berlin, via wireless to Sayville, D. 1., May 27 (delayed) j—Civilians in Germany must eat no meat, for the next eight weeks, Hern Adolph von Batocki, Germany's new food "dictator," now holding one of the most important posts in the empire, told the United Press to-day in a frank discission of the food situation as ho found it on assuming office last week. This regulation, the new food minister said, should cause no alarm in Germany and no elation in the camps of Germany's enemies.

"If the coming harvest is only a medium one," h esaid, "the starvation of Ger.many through the British blockade is out of the question. 1 ' The siege of Germany,'' Herr von Batocki said, "has just begun. The coming eight Aveeks may cause some discomfort to those Germans who are fond of meat. Furthermore the meat shortage is apt to continue for at least three months, he frankly declared. The cattle are lean now, because of the poor harvest of 1915, They cannot be slaughtered now. We mupt wait until they are fattened on pasturage. But meanwhile we have enough meat for our military hospitals and places where, it is urgently needed. At all events there is enough food in Germany, but it is necessary that civilians eat no meat for the ..next eight weeks. Starvation is out of the question, but we must consider not only the present food but the situation during the coming winter. In order to insure a supply during the coming winter we must eat meat sparingly during the summer. Presently meat cards will be issued throughout Germany, and there will be a few meatless weeks.

The cause of the present shortage

is the bad harvest last year. If the harvest this year, is even medium, the food situation will begin to improve the middle of July or the first of August.

Hit Batocki 'f object is to take the Stranglo-hold out of the British blockade. He must prevent the starvation of Germany by her enemies. He must provide equitable distribution of the nation's 'food supplies.