The Spectator., 1915-04-06
Teuton Officials Expect Supplies to Hold Out With Proper
 Conservation.
LIMIT TO BE PUT ON BEER
Brewery Output Will Be Cut to Save Barley-Prisoners Used on Farms Meat Is Plentiful-Cut Down
 on Cake.
By OSWALD F. scHUETTE.


 Berlin.-Germany's official conserva- tion of her bread and grain supplies is not regarded here as a promise of famine. It is only an episode in the all inclusive care with which the Ger man government controls the price of eggs in Berlin with one hand and with the other fights against eight na- tions in arms. For Germanys food supply is, according to all available statistics, more than large enough to feed her 65,000,000 until the summer harvest. even without importations.
 It was only under the abnormal con- ditions created by the war that the government found any danger that the grain supplies would run short. Of every other item, practically, in the national bill of fare there seems to be surplus, particularly of meat. But bread is such an important item in the life of this nation that it's conservation becomes necessary.
 The allowance which has been made of nine kilograms Approximately 20 pounds) to an individual each month Is certainly most liberal one There are probably few families of five per sons in America that consume 100 pounds of bread or flour a month.
 Meat Supply Is Abundant.
 As far as the other food supplies are concerned, the most important feature lies in the abundance of meat for years the German empire has done all in it's power to encourage the increase of animals on farms. The result is that at this time the cattle total is, approximately, 22,000,000 while the number of hogs has reached total of 25,000,0 In fact, it is this relative ly large number of farm animals that has been the greatest peril to the suf- fciency of the grain supplies. There fore, the farmers are being ordered to slaughter the hogs particularly, and to convert them, as far as possible, into smoked meat. which will be avail able for future use, without. in the meantime, eating any deeper into the national bread basket
 Two interesting items contributed to making radical steps necessary ct this time. The first was the fact that the government prohibition against feeding grain to cattle and hogs has proved almost impossible of enforce ment The government authorities de clared that the larger agriculturists obeyed, but the small farmers insist nd rli in hold pets Against this even the iron hand of the German government was powerless.
 The other item that contributed to compelling action at this time was the changed condition brought about by the sending of millions of men from the city to the front. This turned the handling of the household treas ure completely over to the wives It must be stated parenthetically that in Germany this is not as customary as in America. The government author ities say that as result there has been great increase in the consump- ton of bread and other flour products and a decrease in the consumption of meat and similar food.
 They say that this came because the soldiers sent home virtually all their meager pay But to this was added the additional subsistence pro vided by both government and mu- nicipality. They found that with this the housewife discovered it was pos sible to eat meal or two a day in the thousand and one cafes that dot every big city until the consumption of flour began to soar at a surprising rate.
 Never So Much Cake Eaten.
 The government officials tell you with seriousness which demonstrates at least their conviction, that never in the history of Germany has so much cake been consumed as in this win ter In fact. they refer to these cafes and bakeries as the internal ene- mics" of the empire When the war broke out the pig that insisted on eat, ing grain had this distinction, but since then h.s slaughter has been de- creed
 Another restriction is in immediate pIOSPcNl IOhCcEHS tl6 dIuOunt of beer to be produced by the brewer. ies For the breweries are great con sumers of barley. Barley is needed, not for human consumption, but to feed farm animals. And the govern. ment has determined that food for farm animals is far more important than beer for human beings.
 From a food standpoint Germany's salvation really lies in the enormous supply of potatoes furnished by last years crip. Exact statistics are not available. but the government consid- CTS the potato production as mex haustible For this reason potatoes are being used in bread and in every possible form for human and animal food The surplus of sugar beet also