New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-08
Hoover Emphasizes
Urgency of Sending
Food to the Allies

Washington, June 7-Commenting
ON the dispatches from London en-
phasizing the urgency OF food exports
to England and France, Mr.. Hoover said
to-day:
1--WE are at war. We must do what
success i'm war demands. He also fights
who helps a fighter tight. That is the
way we can all help in the war; and n
we don't help the war Will not be Won
The situation abroad was outlined by
Mr.. Hoover as follows;
Great Britain normally raises about
ope-fourth Of the grain she needs for
her bread, France about onc-halt. The
additions necessary 20 make up the
total quantities needed are brought IN
from various other countries. But IN
these abnormal times the native pro-
duction OF the lighting allies Is greatly
reduced by the withdrawal or man
power from the farms to the armies
and munition factories; also by reason
Of late frosts this years crop IN the
United Kingdom, France and italy IS
partial failure. Opportunity to import
from certain grain raising countries,
as Russia and Rumanla, is entirely
lacking. and from certain others, as
australia. South America and India, IS
greatly lessened on account OF the long
haul, for which ships cannot be spared.
Meat Consumption Increased
In addition the actual meat consump-
ton of the allied countries is increased
BY the transfer Of millions of men from
sedentary occupations TO those Of great
physical activity and by the wastage
incidental 20 the feeding Of the great
armies IN the field. There must also I
he recognized the greater demand for
seed grain 10 maintain the dairy and I
meat supplies and the cavalry horses of /
the armies.
Americas duty is set forth by Mr.
Hoover thus:
"All those conditions throw on North |
America the brunt of the burden OF |
supplying our co-belligerents with the I
human and animal food necessary to !
mPintain their great armies in fighting /
condition, as well as 20 keep alive and |
efficient the families Of the lighters and |
the great industrial army at home.
"Thc exports from America necessary /
10 meet these needs, which absolutely |
must be met if the war is 10 be won, or /
even is 20 be carried on at all during |
the next year, must be Immediately |
greater than they have been in normal
times.
THE requirements in cereals alone
for the next year Of the Allies. and the /
few neutrals whose needs must be given |
some consideration, are a billion bushels. /
The needs of meat, fats and sugar also /
arc enormous. Native production and |
imports from other countries can meet |
but part of these requirements.
Demand Exceeds L. ). Surplus
what is left must come from Us, yet /
this amount Is far beyond any surplus /
that we shall have If we try to maintain |
cur normal consumption. Our wheat /
prospects for this year are not en-
COuraCng. A reasonable forecast would |
indicate crop Of between $50, 100000 /
and 700.000.0O0 bushels. We have never
exported more than 500, 100000 bushels
Of cereals m a year, yet the needs
abroad are for twice that
1.-THE moral Is clear: Our consump
ton must be reduced. This can be
done. first. by elimination Of waste;
second, by the substitution for the
kinds of food needed by the Allies Of
food not so needed. but which we can
just as well use as corn for wheat,
poultry and eggs for red meat. and so
On; third, b. voluntarily restricting
ourselves 20 a sufficient and sensible
ration which, rather than being hurtful,
will be of advantage to US physically,
and If done al q little sacrifice Of pref
erencc Of taste or inclination for
feeling Of overrepletion will be Of ad
vantage to us morally"