Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-24
BRITISH FOOD
STOCKS LOWEST
IN NATIONS LIFE
Premier Lloyd George Tells
Parliament Only Drastic
Measures Can Prevent
Disaster.
MUST HAVE MORE SHIPS
Imports of Food Will Be Re-
duced and Production at
Home Increased.
LESS BEER AND WHISKY

London, Feb. 23.-Premier Lloyd
George said in a speech in the House
of Commons today that the success
of the entente cause depended on the
ability to solve the. tonnage short
age which was now affecting the or
binary needs of the national and
military exigencies.
The situation called for the grav-
est measures. The premier said there
was no sure way to victory without
hunting the submarines from the
deep.
EnormL US sacrifices we're neces-
sary from the British public, said
Mr.. Lloyd George. He stated the
government proposed to dispense
with al non-essential importations to
save tonnage,
The stocks of food in Great Brit
ain at the present time are lower
than they ever have been before, Mr..
Lloyd George said. 1t was essential
for the life Of the nation, he declared,
that every possible effort be made to
increase home production. The i'm
portation OF apples, tomatoes and
fruits will be prohibited entirely.
There was a crowded house at the
special meeting held today to listen
to the premier's statement on the re-
striction OF imports and the encour-
agement Of agriculture. Among those
in the diplomatic gallery were Pre-
mier Borden Of Canada, Premier Mas
sey OF New Zealand and many repre-
sentatives of allied nations and the
dominions.
Must Have Tonnage.
The premier said that ultimate sue
cess Of the allied cause depended on
the solution of the tonnage difficulties
with which they were confronted. Be-
fore the war British tonnage had been
just adequate and since that time
there had been an enormous increase
in the demand for tonnage. More than
100000 tons OF British shipping had
been allotted to FRANCE alone and "a
very considerable amount had been
set aside for Russia and Italy. In ad-
dition considerable amount had been
sunk.
Mr.. Lloyd George said that for
some time there has been a shortage
Of tonnage required for the general
needs of the nation and even a slight
shortage in the tonnage for military
purposes. The nation should realize
absolutely what the conditions were.
Drastic Measures Necessary.
IF we take drastic measures" he
continued, 1--WE can cope with the sub
marine menace, but if the nation is
not prepared to accept drastic meas
ufes for dealing with the menace dis
aster is before US.
THE government is hopeful of
finding means of dealing with the
Dut VIC SilOulu
of folly if we rested tranquility upon
the expectation of the realization of
that hope. We have to deal ruthlessly
and promptly with the tonnage prob
lem by measures which impose great
sacrifices upon the country,
Three Sets Of Measures.
There are three sets of measures:
First, by the navy, as described by
Sir Edward Carson (hrst lord Of the
admiralty; second, the building of
merchant ships; third, dispensing with
unnecessary comm o d tiles from
abroad, and production of as much
food as possible at home"
The premier announced that the
government would guarantee price
of 38 shillings 6 pence for oats this
(Confipuad nm pa r,ro rolu..u