The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-11-04
Economic Conditions Change
Cernnany's Trade Relations

Berlin, via London, Oct 25.-The
food supply situation in Germany
based on the nearly complete 1916
crop returns, which are declared more
than large enough for needs is ex-
planned in statement issued by I'm
der.Secretary of State Arnold Wahn-
schaffe, at the instance of DR.. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg, the imperial chan
cellor. The under-secretary says:
ESPECIALLY in the foreign press
there are appearing statements about
a shortage of food, particularly milk.
butter and meat in Germany. They
are intended to show to the rest of the
world that the starvation plan of our
enemies is an accomplished fact, that
the Germans and their cattle are hum
ger-stricken and that Germany wants
speedily to make peace.
What is true in this? 1t is true
that our enemies have shut US off from
importation and seek to starve out the
peaceful working population. Thereby
the entire economic life of Germany
has been changed. Trade relations
have been altered. The old law of sup
ply and demand no longer controls the
market as in peace. Governmental
regulation has replaced this law in or
der to prevent too high prices for the
poor. We have in Germany carried
over so much from the old harvest to
the new that we are compelled to re-
duce the supply by 100000 hundred
weight, which will be fed to the cattle
We can do this because we are now
assured of the goodness and plenty Of
our crop.
1--WE had record potato crop such
as Germany since its foundation never
had. We had counted on good har-
vest of nearly 900,0o0,O0o hundred
weight but actually got 1.200,00O,000
hundred-weight. In addition we have
potatoes in excess from occupied ter
ritory, which are offered for sale there.
We do not have to draw on the inland
at all for feeding our armies. Pork
raising has taken an undreamed Of
impetus in the last nine months, which
;; was aided by the large potato crop.
In short we have what we need in
abundance.
"The reason for the activity anent
Germany's inner condition is that the
government at present is engaged in
legalizing uniformly such measures as
already have been taken by individual
local authorities and military comman-
ders. The abundant potato crop will
be apportioned out to the entire empire
through an imperial potato center.
Through the establishment of definite
potato prices it will be arranged so
that this important foodstuff will
surely and cheaply as distributed to
the civil population.
Butter prices will be regulated for
the empire by the rules for Berlin, pro-
mulgated by the chancellor Maximum
prices will be set for milk. The needs
of children, ailing mothers and sick
will be specifically cared for through
sales counters and special ticket. A
further use for butter fat is cared for
by butter-fat cards. Measures also
will be taken whereby the poorer pop
ulation will be able to get meat at
cheap prices in sufficient quantities
through tickets or similar means. To
accomplish this we shall be sparing of
meat fat. In few days we shall for
bid the sale of meat and frying with
fat in restaurants for several days
week and so regulate the consumption
that not only every one who can pay
but all who need them will receive
bread, potatoes and all other foods"