Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
allies CAUSE
NOW K|NGES0N
SINKING U-B0A1
British Premier Says That
Getting Supplies Has
Become Problem
DRASTIC MEASURES
WILL BE ADOPTED

London, Feb. 23.-Premier Lloyd
George said in speech in the house
of commons today that the success Of
the allied cause depended on the abil
ity to solve the tonnage shortage
which was now affecting the ordinary
needs of the nation and military eX
igencies. The situation, he declared
called for the gravest measures.
The premier said there was NO
sure way to victory without hunting
the submarines from the deep.
Enormous sacrifices were necessary
from the British public, said Mr.
Lloyd.George He stated the govern
. ment proposed to dispense with all
non.essential importations to save ton.
mage.
There was crowded house at the
special meeting held today to listen
to the premier's statement on the re-
striction of imports and the encourage
ment of agriculture Among those IN
the diplomatic gallery were Premier
Borden of Canada. Premier Massey OF
New Zealand and many representa-
tives of allied nations and the domin.
ions.
The premier said the ultimate sue
cess of 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 ship
ping had been allocated to France
alone and very considerable amount
had been set aside for Russia and
Italy. In addition considerable
amount had been sunk.
Mr.. Lloyd-George said that for some
time there has been q shortage of ton
mage required for the general needs
of the nation and even a slight short
age In the tonnage for military pur-
poses. The nation should realize alb.
solutely what the conditions were.
"If we take drastic measures" he
continued, 1--WE can cope with the sub
marine menace but II the nation is
not prepared to accept drastic meas
ures for dealing with the menace, dis
aster is before us.
= 1.-THE government is hopeful of find
ing means of dealing with the sub.
marine, hut we should be guilty OF
folly II we rested TRANQUILITY upon the
expectation Of the realization of that
hope. We have to deal ruthlessly and
promptly with the tonnage problem by
measures which impose great sacri-
fees upon the country.
"There are three sets Of measures:
First, by the navy, as described by
Sir Edward Carson (first lord of the
admiralty: second. the building Of
merchant ships: third, dispensing with
unnecessary commodities from abroad
and production of as much food as
possible at home"
Food Stocks Low.
The stocks of food in Great Britain
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. thar
every possible effort be made to in
crease home production.
The premier announced that the gov
eminent would guarantee price of
thirty-eight shillings six pence for oats
this year. thirty-two shillings for the
next two years and twenty-four shil
ljngs for the three following years. The
price of potatoes would be guaranteed
for the coming season only at Go d
ton.
For wheat the government will guar
antee the farmer the following mini
mum prices per quarter: For the pres
ent year, sixty shillings; for 1918 and
1919 fifty-fve shillings: for 1920, 1921
and 1922 forty-fve shillings.
Brewing will be cut down to ten mil
lion barrels annually. A similar re-
duction will be made in the OUTPUT Of
spirits affecting saving of 100000
tons of foodstuffs.
The importation Of aerated. mineral
and table waters will be prohibited
Powers will be given to the board OF
agriculture to compel land owners to
cultivate their ground.
Minimum Farm Wage.
The minimum wage for farm .Iabor
announced by Mr.. Lloyd-George TWEEN.
ty-fve shillings week, represents an
increase of so to so per cent over the
present prevailing payment
The importation of paper the pre-
meir announced, must be curtailod fur.
Their by 640.000 tons annually The i'm
portation of apples, tomatoes and fruits
will be prohibited entirely
The opinion was expressed bv the
premier that food prices were not ike
1y to decrease for long time after the
war, inasmuch as Germany would then
he a heavier purchaser than ever be-
fore Therefore it was safe to grant to
the farmers minimum price over
definite period of time which wa the
only way to bring about immediate &C.
ton.
The premier also proposed mini.
r.
weekly for agricultural workers.