Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-11-21
Germany Has Food For
Year, and Longer if She
Fights In Foe s Fields
BY ROGER w. BABSON,
Banker and Statistician, and Student
of InfarnafinnaI Economics

BANKER ana StatlSUclan, ana Stuucht
of International Economies.
The fundamental question that faces
the beligerents at the present time is
that of food supplies, both for the men
at the front and the non-combatants at
home. 1t is especially important to
know the extent of Germany's ability
to feed her citizens without help from
other nations, in order to make any in
telligent estimate of the wars dura-
ton.
In a normal year, about one-third of
the wheat consumed in Germany comes
from outside sources. The imports in
1913 were over 100000 bushels,
while the production of this commodity
was 150,OOO.00O bushels
Imports of rye during the same
period we're 100000 bushels, exports
we're 100000 bushels and production
was over 4S0,000,0O0 bushels.
Imports of barley were 145,000,000
bushels, exports were practically nil
and production was 165, 100000 bushels
Independent of Imports
In Potatoes and Sugar.
Imports of oats during 1913 were
100000 bushels, which about equal
ed the amount exported, and the pro-
duction was over 100000 bushels.
Imports of corn were about 37,000,-
600 bushels and practically none was
raised. Germany imported rice to the
amount of nearly 100000 bushels
during 1913. OF POTATOES, this country
has an average crop of 100000 tons,
and is Independent of other countries.
1t is itself sugar exporting coun-
try, and its salt supply is absolutely
secure. AS to meat, the position is
more uncertain. In a census taken on
June 2 of this year, it was found that
Germany possessed a stock Of over 25,-
100000 pigs. Against this the falling
off of imports of some 10000 from
Russia is not of great Importance! In
normal times, it is said that about 70
per cent Of the meat consumption in
Germany consists of pork.
Germany Has Kept Her Meat
And Grain For Herself.
The land owning classes have to a
certain extent been power behind the
throne, and the government has there
fore protected the interests of this
landlord class by keeping a high pro-
tective tariff on grains and meats. This
has had the eject of causing large sup
plies to be grown inside the country.
Germany produces about 20,O00,000
cattle. She also raises about 20,0OO,-
600 hogs. Thus Germany is pretty
we'll equipped with meat at present,
and she can probably go along for an
indefinite time without any cattle or
hog imports.
1t is principally in the falling off of
imports of grain and possibly in the
lack of hands to SOW fall crops that
Germany will suffer; although the wo-
men can probably attend the latter.
So it will be seen that Germany has
been to large extent dependent upon
its imports of agricultural and other
food products, and the outlook for this
is extremely unfavorable while the
war lasts.
Germany is practically surrounded
by enemies. On the east is Russia, from
which Germany has imported a con-
siderable quantity of wheat, oats, bar
ley and corn. This source is absolute
ly shut off. She will, of course, be
able to get a certain amount of these
grains from Hungary.
b~ee>~>~~~<~%N~>~N~ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
R1ind 1T Wears ia