Morris tribune., 1916-05-05

world peace and advanced civilization,
there burst upon the world war the
horrors of which surpass those of the
ages of barbarism and the appalling
loss and waste of which stagger hui
mainly.
We are forcibly reminded of these
duties and of the inadequacy of our
defenses by the conditions in Mexico
today.
We have been tolerant-almost in
different-to the demands of our own
people for protection, while rowing,
plundering brigands, who call them
selves generals, have detied our au-
thority and laughed at our protests.
During this time had we been able to
assemble upon the Mexican border
100000 men, backed by determined
government, does anyone believe these.
things would have occurred?
We have not sufficient munitions,
aeroplanes, munition factories, trans
portation facilities and army equip
ment Our navy is third or fourth
among the navies of the world powers
and wanting in organization, men, drill
and practice; our fastest ships are
slower than some of the German ships
destroyed in the North Sea because
they had not sufficient speed. We have
practically no efficient submarines and
not sufficient coast defenses. War is
now carried on with scientific, cOmpli-
Gated machinery. To handle this ma
chinery, men must be drilled and edu-
Gated in it's use, and officers must have
long experience. We have not sufi
cicnt officers to man an army of any
considerable size. We should have an
adequate number of trained officers,
sufficient aeroplanes, transportation
facilities and munition factories ready
to supply the nations wants, modern
battle cruisers, submarines and coast
defenses.
One CT the most vital subjects now
before the American Congress and the
people of this country is that of for
eign commerce and a merchant marine
In 1915 our commerce with foreign
countries amounted to $5,326,077,067
of which more than $3,547, 48O,372 con-
sisted of our products sold in other
countries and more than a thousand
million dollars was farm products.
With the exception of the cOastwise
commerce, at the beginning Of the war
we had very little merchant marine,
and were dependent upon the ships
of other nations. Today, we practical
ly have no ships on the Pacific Ocean.
One illustration will show the i'm
portance of our foreign commerce to
the farmers of this country. In 1913,
our export of food stuffs, crude and
manufactured, was $494,414,64O; in
1914, $584,128,261; and in 1915,
$1,O12, 555, 7O2-ten dollars for every
man, woman and child in this country.
To show how it, affects the American
farmer in our own state, l give the
following as the export of wheat and
wheat flour during the years 1913 to
1915, inclusive:
1913.
Wheat, bushels ....... 99,5O8,968
Value Observation-Disclosures 95 ,O9S,838
Wheat flour, bbls. ........ 12,27S,2O6
Value ................. 10000, 444
1914.
Wheat, bushels .......... 173,861, 944
Value Observation-Disclosures 187, 1874 100
Wheat flour, bbls. ...... 12,769,O73
Value NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $62,39l ,5O3
1915.
Wheat, bushels .......... 2o5, 829,62O
Value .................$ 1882, 457 ,O92
Wheat flour, bbls. ........ 15,68O,8O1
Value ................. S96,2OI,2 34
With this surplus of over two hun
dred million bushels Of wheat in 1915,
what would have been the market
price but for our foreign commerce?