Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-03-28
ENGLAND FOOD SUPPLY.
People of Great Britain Awak-
ening to the Dangers of
Their Dependence
PROTECTIVE TARIFF SUGGESTED
PROTECTIVE TARIFF SUGGESTED
This, However. Would Be Opposed BY
the British Workinsman Even Tho
Its Object Be to Increase Home Pro.
duction-No War With Us Possible
Owing to Present Conditions.

Washington, March 2S.-The Ameri-
can government has been advised by
| it's representatives in Great Britain
that the liyliest interest is being taken
| in that country in the question of food
supply in time of war. So dependent
| is England upon the United States
and other agricultural countries for it's
bread stuffs and meat supplies. that in
case of war between Great Britain and
another great power there would be
but turnout the whole of tie United
Kingdom Statisticians point out the
danger in a very striking manner. Dur
ing the five years from 1852 to 1857,
which included the period of the Crl-
mean war, England imported wheat and
| flour to the amount of 26 per cent OF
her total consumption. In the five
years from 1896 to 1901, she imported 10
lper cent. In other words, the acreage
ANNUALLY devoted to wheat raising in
England has been gradually decreasing
since the middle OF the last century.
and is today only about one-half what
osition in another way, England, dur
ling the former period, raised about
three fourths of her breadstuffs, while
today she raises only one-fourth.
| The Boer war increased the sense of
insecurity growing out of the situation
| just described Had Great Britain been
involved in war with Germany during
that trouble, as at times there was
great danger. the result to her nome
population would have been disastrous.
During the late winter it is reported
to the government in Washington that
| Il number of meetings have been held
in England for the purpose of deyising
ways and means for the better pro-
lection of the food supply in time of
war, and the fact that these meetings
have been attended by the most prom
| inent men of the country, froW cabinet
ministers and members OF the houses
| of lords and commons. down to rep
|resentatives of the leading men in the
several trades, indicates that the feel
/ ing of insecurity Is widespread.
+! The public agitation was commenced
! by prominent men In the grain trade.
who We're naturally the lirst to see the
danger. Following their public express
| sion of alarm, public meeting was
held at Stafford House, London, in
February, on invitation of the Duke of
Sutherland. to promote an official in
quiry into the question. was held be-
tween the prime minister and COM
mittee representing all the leading in
lterests of the country.
| At the Stafford House meeting there
We're present many of the high officers
| of the British navy, who manifested
| the liveliest interest in the question
under discussion, and let 1T be gen.
orally known that the situation was
one requiring Immediate attention.
A later meeting was called in London
/ by the lord mayor. and was attended
again by the representative men of the
| kingdom.
| The result OF these several conferen-
ces has been a thorough awakening of
the English people to the dangers that
will threaten them in case of war with
a rival naval power. Several sugges-
tons have been made looking to re-
obviously, point to an increase of the
home acreage in wheat and to a larger
production of beef cattle. The sugges-
ton that the country adopt a protect
i've tariff, making these staples dearer
at home, and thus stimulating the home
grower, and producer to renewed ac-
tivity. will hardly be adopted because
the British workman will not consent
y \, ;,I, will He.
price of bread Thus far the suggestion
of bounties to wheat growers and cat
tie raisers seem to meet with greatest
favor. 1t is predicted that before the
matter is finally disposed of there will
be an investigation by parliament and
a royal commission to cooperate with
it.
The people of the United States may
be interested in knowing that England
buys more wheat and flour and beef
from them than from the people of any
other country. 1t is very safe to say
that as long as that condition prevails
there will never be war between Great
Britain and the United States ifGreat
Britain can prevent it. 1t is safe to say
also, that this trade situation will cause
the United States to incline towards
Great Britain in any quarrel the latter
country may have with European
power. In short commerce has finally
made fast friends of these two great
English-speakin peoples. notwith-
standing occasional outbreaks OF Jlngo-
ism on this side of the water and jeal-
ousy of the United States on the other.
An official investigation of the bread
and meat question in England VIII
doubtless draw these bonds tighter, SO
far as Great Britain is concerned
Combined, these two great nations
could overcome any single nation or
any coalition of nations. that might
make war against them.
The people of the middle west VIII
a. Ba25D n l,!E
NJ 4nMR