The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-04
FOOD CRISIS STIRS
PRESS OF GERMANY
Minister Of Agriculture De-
nOunced for Failure to
Grasp Problem.
POTATO SHORTAGE TEXT
so,elo, coy,,.pordeses 10 Tur Soy

Special Correspondence TO THr suS.
BERLIN. via London, March 12.-Those
who have carefully followed the trend
of the German press since the beginning
Of the war cannot taii TO notice a grow
ing tendency toward independence Of
view and even criticism Of the Govern
ment. While during the irst half year
Of the great conflict journalistic Ger
many was eagerly bent upon preserving
harmony, avoiding the slightest criticism
and concealing opposition behind the
cha ritable mantle or patriotic unity"
there have been OF late some significant
symptoms Of a general movement toward
moro frankness.
The fact Of the matter Ia that since
the British declaration of q food block
ade against Germany the German
stomach II beginning to growl. and this
not by any means rs a consequence Of
present hunger but in anticipation Of
hard times.
Al the recent session Of the Prussian
Diet Baron Won Schorlemer, the Minister
~ Agriculture. made speech designed
to calm the people of the fatherland on
the subject Of a possible shortage IT po-
tatoes. His dissertation was inter
spersed freely with phrases such as "all
indications are" ~ do not believe" o.
~ believe" and "there II no reason TO
assume" the gist OF his address being
that Germany need not fear potato
shortage.
When Baron Schorlemer'a address had
been duly epresd broadcast there arose
Immediately voice OF protest THE
SuS correspondent picks from q number
Of critical comments an article from the
pen Of Hans Leuss in tho Wet an
Montdo, a translation OF part OF which
follows.
The Minister believes that we will
not run short OF potatoes n We como
mize All indications arr that great
quantities are stiil being held in store.
''Theee are phrases In the Minister'S
speech which dispose or the most serl-
Gus and most important of all questions.
namely. whether we will have suffi-
cicnt potato supply al the end of May
or the beginning of June II Is the
gravest question now confronting Ger
many, How can Minister Of the State
dare thus to dodge an issue upon which
depend the war. victory and the whole
German empire
Does II not remind US % the French
Minister olivier. who IN 1870 announced
eolemnly before the Chamber Of Depu-
tie. that II was with a light heart that
he bore the responsibility for the war
the man who since has been famous as
the man of the light heart
AS German deem ~ my moral
duty to utter the cry that the Minister
OF Agriculture has absolutely failed %
be equal to the gravity OF the hours Of
the problem And | utter this cry as
the attorney and representative OF the
highest interests OF the State and It's
citizens.
I'm this moment and IN these matters
there must not he such a thing az be-
lief or all indications are What We
want Is assurance and safety.
There should md must he. in May
and June. sufficient potatoes In the
country. and AZ not unrea soma bic prices
that all can live.
gWithout any preliminary investicl
ton and bureaucratic humhug. tele-
grams should and must he sent imme-
diately TO all district presidents. ordci
ing the confiscation OF such quantities %