The Washington times., 1916-05-25
THE GRIM spEcTER IN EUROPE

Germany is not the only country
whose problem Of food grows more
serious with everv passing day.
Britain faces a food problem which
has now been SO far recognized that
the proposal Of government monop-
oily has been limited from the floor Of
the Commons. France Is bringing in
iron and coal from wherever they
may be had, because Frances iron
and coal resources are largely in
German possession. Greece Is In q
fearful condition. hardly less serious
than IL she had been a combatant;
Turkey and Bulgaria confront q set
Of facts that cannot be denied, and
that must be distinctly bettered be-
fore long or else they will become
so much worse that collapse Of those
countries will follow. OF all the
warning countries 1t Is probable that
Russia bears the economic stress
best. The country's agricultural re-
sources are limitless, its women and
children and aged are Injured to do
ing the work that is necessary in
this juncture; its industrial organi-
zation has been built up to an un-
precedented effectiveness, and It is
able to bring in supplies in what
seems to be, satisfactory measure by
way Of Vladivostok and Archangel.
In one recent period Of twenty
four hours the various naval reports
indicated the destruction Of twelve
merchant vessels. There were two
German vessels among them; eight
nations were losers, and four Of
these were neutrals. This kind Of
thing is nothing less than the pro-
gressive suicide Of Europe. It can
not go on indefinitely destroying
everything that civilization has
given it, breaking down the whole
machinery by which modern society
sustains itself. That machinery Is
too complex and involved.
There is no guessing at what point
the breakdown may be most seri-
GUS, or, very definitely, to what ma
ton it may come first The Germans
are more and more closely blockaded
On the other hand they possess the
most efficient organization to take
care Of themselves. The appoint.
ment Of a food dictator for the en-
pire is an admission Of conditions
that have been minimized in Ger.
many, and doubtless overstated out
side that country. Heretofore the
state and local authorities have
tried to handle this problem, with.
out vigorous Capitalization Of au.
thority. The new system will doubt
less better matters; but there is now
official confession that the crops OF
1915 were disappointing, and tina,
the country's labor supply is facing
utmost difficulty in tilling the sol
this year as intensivcly as is neces,
| sary to keep the nation fed.
Right on the heels of the German
chancellor's announcement Of i'm.
possible peace terns-terms tina,
must recognize the "war map" as II
stands-comes this widespread rec
ignition of the specter of starvation
stalking throughout the Continent
The thing cannot 90 on always; but
it can go on yet a long time. Civil
cation in the effort to save itselt
from militarism is willing to sub
ject itself to fearful deprivations
The time is at hand when that at
triton of which we have heard S,
much must begin to be understood
in all its grim reality: and it SEEM
quite possible that economic attri
ton will impose hardships on tn
noncombatant populations before tn,
fighting forces will be nearly read!
to reach an issue.