Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-26
How the War Affects Us.
Iu.-Demands for American
Foodstufs.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

America is looking forward to as
suming a great part of the burden OF
feeding Europe. Whether the war will
cause an undue strain to be placed upon
our food resources is a matter Of much
question. Some among the experts Of the
United States Department Of Agricul-
ture believe that Europe will not be
forced to draw heavily upon us, while
others are Of the opinion that the con-
testing peoples must depend upon sup
plies from this country to keep them
from starvation.
creased European foodstuffs importa-
rious facts. They point out that Ger
many according to advices in possession
of the department, is to have this year
better than average harvest in grains
and potatoes. This harvest. they say;
will be sufficient to meet the frugal
needs of the empire throughout the COM
ing year Moreover they explain. Ger ere
the greatest potato producing countries
in the world. and that the potato may
serve in place Of a diminished grain sup
ply. 1t is prophesied that the old world
the present old world food problem.
Especially will the potato be an I'M
portant factor in the problem Of suffi-
Client foodstuffs for the isolated German
empire. Many thousands Of bushels OF
this vegetable are raised in Germany for
the purpose Of manufacturing fuel alco-
hol In such a time Of necessity, this ex-
cess supply OF potatoes probably Will be
diverted into food channels, and Largely
aid in meeting whatever shortage OF 1000
products may be caused by the absence
Of farmers from their farms and by
closed ports.
Likewise, the harvests of Austro-H Hun
gary. France and Italy, according to 40.
about average. Russia, on the other
hand, will have a slightly poorer than
usual harvest from her fertile grain
plains. Russia's wheat harvest this year
has been estimated for sixty,three gov
pared with a yield of S37. 747.OOO bushels
Tor the year past. While Russia's winter
wheat crop yielded well. the spring wheat
suffered from the heavy rains. AS the
greatest grain raising nation in the
world, and as large exporter Of wheat.
it is probable that Russia will ind little
difficulty in feeding her population from
her own vast stores.
In considering the part that America
will be called upon to play by the Euro
pean war as a
American Meats vlctuahng ma
Mostly in Demand. Of problems pre-
sent themselves That our stimulated
market for foodstuffs will not bring US
as much unalloyed profit as will result
from the stronger market for our manu-
facturies is apparent when we consider
that the foodstuffs that the warning ma
tons will want almost to the exclusion
Of all else include not only grain and
grain products, but meat.
1t seems certain alone that the Ameri-
can farmer is entering into years Of fat
prosperity. This. Of course, In the long
run. will not only benefit the farmer.
strength to the nation as a whole. While
the farmers Of Europe are fighting the
greatest BATTLES Of history. increased
percentages of our crops must go to
feed them, and, Furthermore. domestic
as have hitherto been imported. Prob
ably for some years to come the Amer-
can farmer is to be troubled with little
foreign competition at home and is to
Europe. This will have a beneacent
force for improving the quality Of our
agriculture and for promoting the farm
ing vocation into a deserved high favor.
well as advantages in this strengthened
foodstuffs market. While this country
has a vast quantity of grain for export,
it has but a little more than enough meat
to supply the home demand. and heavy
exports In this last resource could only
work disaster Should Europe be able
to have great orders filled by US for beef
and mutton. prices to our home consum-
ers would become so exorbitant as to
Danish meat dishes from the homes Of all
except the most well-to-do.
Fortunately, We are to have magnifi-
cent food crops this year according to all
reports. Our wheat crop exceeds that
of last year by NO,OoO, 600 bushels, max
ing more than 3O0OO0.OOO bushels avail
able for export. 1t is unlikely. under the
present circumstances, that We will have
any difficulty in disposing OF this great
surplus at the most favorable prices
Further according to the latest estimates
Of the department Of agriculture, our
crops of corn. oats, rye, buckwheat, bar
ley, potatoes, and most Of our fruit
crops are to be average or little bet
ter. England, our biggest customer for
grain. will likely take all which we may
be able to spare her, when shipping lines
are established.