The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-08-20
GOOD OUTLOOK
FOR FARMERS.

| lie ciltCl VI the EuIOptGn wa
upon agriculture in the United States
was discussed the other day at Wash
ington by Secretary Houston. who
pointed out that the United States
was practically the only large food
producing country undisturbed.
''If Germany and Austria cannot
control the high seas he said, lit
will be very difficult for food sup
plies from this country 10 reach
| them. This would not have a very
serious effect on our exports, be-
cause a very small proportion is
taken by these countries. OF the
wheat and wheat flour exported in
1913-about 14O,000,000 bushels
only 100000 went to Germany
and Austria.
eff they were to control the high
seas it would seriously interfere
with the marketing of the greater
part of the foodstuffs We export.
"If, on the other hand, England,
France and Russia control the high
seas, We should be able TO market
in the near future, without great
difficulty, the great mass of our ex-
portable food products.
Even if they cannot control the
seas, they are going to take every
sort of reasonable risk to get sup
plies, and on account of their ex-
tensive shore lines and large ship
ping facilities they would doubtless
secure a very considerable part of
what they need.
Secretary Houston pointed out
that cotton, corn, wheat and meat
products constitute the largest pro-
portion of our agricultural exports.
He said that his departments sta
tistics of production and exports Of
corn showed a decrease of over 60O,-
100000 bushels in 1913 from 1912
and added:
1T does not seem to me likely
that we are going to have very
large amount of corn to export"
Importation of corn the past year
exceeded exports by nearly 2,0OO.-
900 bushels, and with the crop for
the present year 500,000,000 bush
els less than that of 1913, Mr.
Houston thinks it probable that
this country could consume it all
without much reduction in price. II
any. The demand from abroad for
corn for food is expected to help
maintain the present prices.
This season, said the secretary,
"has been unfavorable for crops in
Europe, as a result of which there
undoubtedly is some shortage, now
estimated at approximately 300,-
| 100000 bushels. This shortage
g. hnr In
tion of the crops or failure TO har-
vest them through the diversion OF
laborers into the army.
AL these factors will tend to
increase the demand abroad for A
merican wheat and strengthen prices
If there is an increased foreign de-
mand for wheat, We can certainly
supply it, but can they get it?
"Omitting the ships plying to the
Orient and the south and taking in
to account only the ships that clear
for Europe from the United States,
We know that in 1912 the tonnage
of merchant vessels was 11,727,-
600 tons.
"Of that 100000 tons 2900,-
600 tons belong to neutral countries
and 10,S00,000 to England, France
or Russia. Only 100000 belongs
to Germany and Austria.
IF these countries want food
stuffs from this country-and this
is one of the few countries from
which they can get them. because 1t
is one of the few large food pro-
ducing countries at present undis-
turbed-they will not depend ex-
clusively upon shipping customarliy
clearing from this country. Ihey
will regard food just as much
military necessity as arms or am
munition and they will be Just as
desirous of getting it. Armies rght
on their bellies.
..The merchant tonnage OF the
world is 45,s00,O00. of which H.
81, 900 belongs to neutral coun-
tries and 23,O29,O00 to England,
France and Russia. leaving 5,50O,-
600 in round numbers belonging TO
Germany and Austria. England a.
lone does about SO per cent OF the
carrying trade.
"If congress takes advantage
promptly of the present SITUATION
and enacts legislation for the en-
largement of the merchant marine
under the American flag. not only
would great temporary relief be al
forded, but a permanent advance
would be made.
1.-The greatest problem, said the
secretary, "is the cotton SITUATION
Many factories in France are in the
war zone, Russia will be affected
and if England can get the cotton
and market it there is no special
reason why she should not continue
her manufacturing on consider
able scale.
u do not see how any disturb
ance will come to the English man.
ufacturers as far as labor is con-
cerned The neutral countries
Italy. Japan, Spain and the United
States-will seek to increase out
nut and find larger markets.
Making every allowance. 1t seems
likely there will be difficulty IN
disposing of at least from 100000
to 100000 bales of cotton. PROB
ably considerable local relief can
be afforded the producers of cot
ton.
..It remains to be considered
whether the government. through
the treasury, acting under the AID
rich-Vreeland act, OF whether the
federal reserve board can furnish
relief. If they can do so. adequate