The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-08-24

| S~~cSo~~S~~-~~-~~o~~~r~~~
United States, on which they were &C
customed to rely before the war. The
Russian supply cannot be got out
Bulgarian and Roumanian supplies are
in the hands of the central empires
The voyage from Australia and lndia
is three times as long and there1ore
requires three times as many tons OF
shipping as is required from North AT
lantic ports. 1t is also twice as Gan
gerous because of the longer exposure
TO submarine attack. There has Deen
a large failure in the South American
countries and the new harvest from
that quarter will not be available IN
Europe until next spring. AS already
said, all the allied countries are ana
have been for some time vigorously adj
ministering and econOmizing their
food. In Belgium, the relief commits
sion has been compelled to reduce the
consumption of cereals by nearly 5O
| per cent; this brings the food supply
so low that the population are in
capable of labor.
From the above tables 1t will be
seen that on normal bases of cOnsump-
ton the total allied wheat import re-
quirements are 577,0OO,OOO bushels
against North American surplus OF
2OS, 100000 bushels-and from our
United States supplies we must re-
serve a certain amount for neutrals
from which we receive vital supplies
and also an amount to protect our
stocks better next year than this, last.
There is therefore on normal con-
sumption a deficit of over 4OO,OOO,OOO
bushels. In the other cereals used in
Europe mostly for animal feed. the
import necessities of the allies on nor
NAL consumption basis are about 674,-
100000 against North American sur
plus of 95O,OOO000. But again re-
serve for neutrals and increased scar
nv over" will absorb all the margin.
In any event 1t means we must multi
ply our exports of these cereals ~
times. However, upon the basis OF our
present crop prospects we should be
able to supply their requirements in
cereals other than wheat.
Wheat Situation Difficult.
The situation in wheat is one OF
great difficulty and concern, and must
be met by an elimination Of waste and
reduction of consumption on the part
of the allied peoples and ourselves, in
one word, by an effective administra-
ton of the available supply.
The allies are unable to use other
cereals alone for bread. They can
use them only as added to wheat flour
to make the war bread now in uni
versal use in European countries. Elk
cept in Italy, whose people normally
consume much corn, our allies have
few corn mills and cornmeal is not a
durable commodity and therefore can
not be shipped in great quantities.
Moreover, for generations they have
bought bread from the bakeries; they
have no equipment nor do they know
how to bake in the household. Every
American knows that it is infeasible
to distribute corn bread from bakeries,
and it is therefore necessary for us
to furnish our allies with sufficient
wheat to enable them to have wheat
basis for the loaf. However, they can
use and must use other cereals for
mixture in their war bread, and by
this substitution and by savings on
their part a great deal can be accom-
plished. On the other hand, deficit
of 400,000,O00 bushels can be at least
partially overcome if we can increase
our exports from 9S,OOO,OOO to 220,-
100000 or nearly triple. This can be
accomplished if we will substitute one
pound of other cereals for one pound
of wheat -four weekly per person; that
is, if we reduce our consumption OF
wheat flour from five pounds per week
1t will be no privation to us and will
reduce the privation of our allies.
Food Animals.
Owing to the ascending standard OF
| living, the world was already strained
to supply enough animal products to
meet the demand before the war be-
gan. The war has injected into an al
ready difficult situation number OF
| vicious conditions which are jeOpardiz
| ing the ultimate animal products sup
ply of the world. The production OF
foddA. in Europe has been diminished
by the diversion of productive labor to
war, and it's import has been curtailed
by shortage in shipping and by the
isolation of markets by belligerent
lines. From these causes not only are
| the actual numbers of animals de-
creasing in Europe, but the average
| weight and the annual output of dairy
| products per animal, are decreasing
A careful estimate of the worlds
| food animal position shows the follow
| ing position:
| Decrease
Increase or In other
decrease Decrease countries
United western including Total ne
States allies enemies decrease
Cattle 100000 $4,000 26,750,OO0 %, 0S0 OOt
Sheep 100000 17,5O0,0OO 100000 $4,000, OOt
Hogs 6,275,OOo 100000 Sl,6OO,OOO 32,425, OOt
100000 s2,35O. 900 lis, OO5, OOt
The problem facing the American
people is not only one Of supplying
| the immediate demand of the allies, but
one which is more far-reaching in it's
future significance. AS the war goes
on there will be constant lessening of