Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-11-29
AMERICA FEEDS THE WORLD

The effect of the American embargo foodstufs tC
certain neutral nations shows the boast that Amercs
feeds the world is not idle one. Norway, Sweden
Denmark Holland Switzerland all the neutral countries
of Europe affected by this embargo and seriously
that actual suffering it is claimed by all of them will en-
sue if the embargo is maintained One of the results is
the gathering at Stockholm of the kings Of Sweden Nor
way and Denmark to take joint action to remove if pos
sbe the that have led to their peoples getting
down to the hunger line. These countries had agreed on
the policy Of neutrality at any price, and had also
agreed to act only in conjunction with each other in all
matters pertaining to the war;
That agreement is the OF the present meeting.
Norway inclined to fall out with the kaiser the
sinking of the larger part Of her merchant marine by the
submarines Sweden is not in bad shape from this
source but it is claimed that in another year two at
the most if Germany maintained her rate of snngs Of
Norwegian ships that there would be none left.
The other allies especially England favor maintaining
strict embargo but the United States desires to play
fair and is willing to share her foodstufs if she be
assured none Of the supply will leak over into Germany
Holland too is putting up ptful plea that her people
will suffer unless the United States shares with them In
her case the situation is somewhat different than with the
Others She has been sending certain supplies to Ger
many especially dairy products of her own and undoubt
edy considerable of the supplies she procured from tins
country She pleads in eXtenuaon that she traded thee
things for fuel which Germany alone able to furnish
her.
Another phase of the Holland situation is that more
than hundred of her ships lying idle In American
ports and these she refuses to charter to this government
even with the assurance they would only be used In I'M
porting sugar Holland needs food, and the United
States needs ships If Holland prefers to let her ships e
idle rather than let the United States them she cam
find on fault if this country refuses to share her food
stufs with her.
AS a matter of fact it near being unneutral
act for it is at least indirectly aiding Germany as
against u.s. While Holland takes this view she expect
but little help from
Our good old Uncle Samuel however is disposed to act
not only fairly but generously and it is probable if some
method can be devised by which the food sent Holland is
used there and not forwarded that the embargo will bel
lifted and food enough for her people will be allowed
to reach her. Still another phase of the situation is that
as Holland has the ships and there is surplus OF
wheat in Australia and India she should be compelled to
use her ships in this longer haul in supplying her needs
1t is probable definite plan for guaranteeing that
provisions allowed to be sent to Scandinavian countries
from America shall reach countries with which she is at
war; may be made at the meeting of the Scandinavian
rulers alluded to- One thing certain and that is
that if any of these countries concludes to enter the
it will not be the side of Germany They shy of
food now and can hope for nothing by such In
deed that would be the thing that would their
going hungry for the balance of the
bonc tbol,