Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-13
GERM1NY.s Mr1rrIMlnr-

The gravity Of the meat famine in
Germany is increasing. The price of
even horse meat has risen beyond the
means Of many OF the people and a
Berlin dispatch states that dog flesh is
no longer obtainable. Municipalities
are endeavoring to supply the people
with fish, but this expedlent is not gen
| orally acceptable AS has been ex-
planned In a report by the United States
consul general at Berlin, this state OF
affairs is the inevitable result Of the
complicated system Of inspections and
prohibitions imposed upon the impOrta-
ton OF meats and domestic animals by
the new meat inspection law of Ger
many, which went into effect a few
months ago. This law was enacted
through agrarian influences under the
pretense Of protecting the public from
the sale of diseased or unwholesome
meats, and Of defending the iocks and
herds of the fatherland from cOntaminA-
ton by diseased cattle, sheep and swine
imported from abroad. When the sup
porters of this policy were asked what
would become of the working peoples
meat supply, The answer was that the
German farmers would look after that
by Immediately increasing the number
of meat-producing animals, so that the
hitherto imported meats and cattle and
swine would never be missed.
The fallacy Of this is already demon
strated. The domestic supply of meat
has not been increased, but the pro-
duccrs have reaped a rich harvest from
the steadily advancing prices, while a
vast number of people who most need
meat have been compelled to do without
it. There has been general and very
vigorous protest against this situation,
but as yet no intimation ON the part Of
the government of an intention to take
any action to improve conditions. How
much longer the people will be satisfied
with mere protests, to which no heed is
given, is a question. With the coming
of winter there will be a greater de-
mand for meats, especially from the
working people. During the summer
they could get along with a small guam
tity, but in the cold weather they will
require more and the prospect now is
that the supply will be still further re-
duced, If the existing policy is adhered
to.
The short-sighted policy of the Ger
man government is most remarkable,
but it shows how powerful Is the
agrarian influence in shaping the course
OF the government. 1t is this influence
that is responsible for the features in
the new tariff law which discriminate
against certain American agricultural
products, the exclusion of which from
the German market would have the
effect to make bread dearer for the
people Of that country. 1t is an extra
ordinary position for an enlightened ma
ton and one which we believe cannot
be maintained. A majority of the Ger
man people will not long consent to be
half starved in order that the great land
owners shall profit. If the present state
of affairs should be protracted the effect
must inevitably be damaging TO the In
dustries of Germany. A people insult
GENTLY fed cannot perform efficient
labor. Under no circumstances can Ger
many produce sufficient foodstuffs to
supply the requirements of her people.
She must import and her true policy is
to place no restriction upon the importa-
f{oo of 70 and hraadat1iffS