Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-08-18
ENGLAND's FOOD SUPPLY
This is the Great Problem to be Faced
in War.


in War.
The food question overshadows al
most every other consideration in the
European war, according to a London
letter. AS far as England is concern
ed it was pointed out two years ago by
George Renwick, a member Of parlia-
ment, in a speech before the Royal
United Service Institution that the
United Kingdom never had on hand
more than six weeks supplies OF
wheat and flour or more than two
weeks supplies Of meat. He said that
these were perilously small stocks to
have in reserve and advised that the
navy put itself in position to guaran
tee protection to the British merchant
marine.
I'VE grow about seven and import
over twenty-five quarters Of wheat
yearly" he said land rise of only $5
per quarter means the price OF about
twelve dreadnoughts or tirst-class
cruisers, which are, after all, the cheap
est and best instruments for insuring
free navigation. Britain has had un-
disputed command of the sea for lOC
years, but now other nations are chal-
longing her supremacy.
Owing to the facility with which
cargOes can now be brought to ouI
shores in times Of peace large surplus
supplies are no longer kept in stock
as was formerly the case. Any inter-
ruption of these supplies, as has been
vividly shown during the sailors and
railroad mems strikes, which lasted
only a few days, would soon bring our
people to the verge Of starvation. This
question is a matter of life and death
to our country"
Lord Peterborough on this occasion
added: The starvation of England
means abject surrender The poor will
lose their freedom; the rich will lose
their wealth. In future, Englishmer
will have to work for long hours and
low wages, and the conditions of peace
should the enemy triumph would be
such as to leave it open to the other
belligerents to threaten us Il second
time with starvation. Parts of Essex
and Kent would be turned into an AL
SAGE and Lorraine"
With England annually doing a
world trading business amounting to
s5,442 .O55,OOO and importing grain and
flour to the extent of $3.50, $40, 900 each
year the Importance of her merchant
marine is easily seen. Yet as the war
progresses fewer and fewer ship own
erS will be found to undertake traffic
in spite of the risks of war. The risks
cannot be altogether covered by the
insurance companies for the cost for
complete protection would be prohibi-
tive.
Mr.. Renwick insisted that the state
in time of war should take the burden
of these war risks. According to the
ruling Of the International Conference
in London, 190S-9, foodstuffs, fuel,
clothing, gold. etc, were labeled con
ditional contraband' in time Of war,
i. e., they are subject to capture only
upon it being proved that they are
destined for the use of armed forces.
Restaurant prices have not advanced
yet, and every kind Of food is still
abundant. The newspapers are urging
all householders not to embarrass the
tradesmen, by ordering unusual sup
plies.
Inquiries from leading American re-
tailers show the following advances in
pr "s last Saturday, compared to two
w,,.s ago: Bacon, from 19 cents to
33 cents: steaks. prime, 81 cents to 80
cents; cheese, no change; eggs, new
laid. 80 cents to 62 cents dozen: eggs,
imported, 33 cents to 80 cents: hams,
cooked, - cents to G. cents, flour, per
seven-p pound bag, u cents to 2S cents;