The Washington times., 1915-05-21

sponsible for the drop in prices.
Stock Sacrificed.
More recently, as observers from the
war zones have been sending reports to
the authorities in this country, a new
explanation, now regarded as quite the
biggest factor in the whole situation.
has been brought forward. European
countries have been forced to sacrifice
much of their own live stock. Armies
have commandeered animals by the
millions and turned them instantly
into food.
Poland. for instance. has been re-
ported to have lost 100000 OF cattle In
this fashion, Prussians taking whatever
they found in Austrian and German
Poland, and Germans and Austriaps
taking everything they could reach In
Thus the sacrificed herds OF eastern
Europe were feeding armies that
otherwise would have been buying In
America and Australia. In the western
isted and on a greater scale. 1t now
appears. than has been generally
realized.
Germany, moreover, In order to con-
has vigorously limited the numbers OF
meat animals that might be produced,
making II necessary for growers TO dls-
pose of many of these.
Living On Capital
Thus Europe may be said to have
been living on it's livestock capital. So
long as its>-capital meets Immediate de-
mands, there will be little chance for
American meats to command high
prices or insistent markets.
But the end Is at hand for this relent-
less sacrifice Of Europe's livestock sup
plies. The war area is not being ex-
q aa
trance of Italy to the conflict; and Italy
will demand large supplies, rather than
open ZIP to the foraging parties the op-
portunity to seize any great numbers
of meat animals.
The effect of these factors is believed
to be reflected in the recent resumption
of advance In stock prices. That the
era OF high and yet higher prices ID
likely to be long one, lasting far be-
yond the termination of the war, Is con-
sidered certain from the very facts that
have been suggested: the decimation OF
the basic supplies in so many countries.
1t is believed In Washington that the
United States is the only meat-produc-
ing country that probably has more
livestock on hand today than at the be-
ginning of the war. More likely, 1t Is
, the only important meat country that
would not show a very marked and un-
usual decrease for this part of the, year
Holland and Denmark. which are two
Of the greatest stock countries in the
! world, have been drawn upon for sup.
! plies for Germany. and the rest OF
! Europe has been giving up its meat ami
mails under the extraordinary demand.
Great Defamation.
Thus Europe, which is by far the
greatest live stock producing continent
| in the commercial word has been suf-
! fering a prodigious decimaton of It's
| supplies. This loss will not be quickly
restored. 1t is anticipated that the loss
| will become more and more serious as
| the war proceeds: and after the war II
| will require time to restore the num-
bers of animals. While this process is
| afoet the outside world will have to be
! Urawn upon more heavily than in nor
| that continent. which has not for many
decades been able to produce all Its
| requirements.
, Under these circumstances. the out
| look for the live stock industry In the
| United States IS considered especially
| gratifying, and the Department OF
| Agriculture is organizing a campaign tc
encourage increased production here. II
! Is desired that this country shall not
! Curtail home supplies or permit toe
| sharp an advance in the costs Of meat
| to the consumers. and yet that it shall
| be able to contribute a generous share
prospect OF such n crisis in the worlds
| stock and meat supplies has given es.
pecial interest to the effort at increas
ing the capacity OF the Western ranges
| for carrying stock through the passage
| OF next winner looking to the lea sins
| Of grazing privileges and conservation
OF the ranges.