The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-23
ENGLAND FEELS
SERIOUS LACK
Of TONNAGE
Lloyd George Before House Of Com.
mons Urges Greater Home
.,. Production.
FOOD SUPPLIES ARE
@ t-.. LOWEST IN HISTORY
Calls Upon Britons to Make Supreme
Sacrifice Necessary For
r..... .. Victory.
(Associated Press )

|
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
ability to solve the tonnage shortage
which was now affecting the ordinary
needs Of the nation and military ex-
igencies. The situation, he declared
calls for the gravest measure.
Food Law.
| The stocks of food in Great Britain
at present 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 premier said
there was no sure way to victory with.
out hunting the submarines from tho
sea.
Sacrifices Necessary.
Enormous sacrifices are necessary
for the British public said Mr.. Lloyd
George. He stated the government
proposed to disperee with all non
essential importations to save ton
mage.
special meeting held today to listen
to the premier's statement on restric-
tions of imports and encouragement
of agriculture.
The premier said ultimate success
Of the Allies cause depended upon So
luton Of the tonnage difliculties with
which they are confronted. Before
the war, British tonnage was just ade.
quate and since that time there had
been an enormous increase In demand
for tonnage. More than 100000 tons
Of British shipping had been allotted
to France alone, and considerable
amount had been set aside for Russia
and Italy. In addition, considerable
amount had been sunk. M
..5 Shortage Of Tonnage. 'b8f
Mr.. Lloyd George said that for some
time there had been a shortage Of
tonnage required for general needs
of the nation. and. even slight short.
age in tonnage for military purposes.
The nation, he said, should realize alb.
solutely what the conditions were.
IF We take drastic measures" he
continued, I'VE can cope with the sub.
marine menace, but if the nation is
not prepared to accept drastic meas.
ures for dealing with the menace.
disaster is before US.
"The government is hopeful of find
ing means OF dealing with the sub
marine, but we should be guilty Of
folly II we rested TRANQUILITY upon tho
expectation of the realization Of that
hope. We have to deal ruthlessly
and promptly with the tonnage prob.
lem, with measures which impose
great sacrifices on the country.
Three Measures.
There are three sets of measures
first, by the navy. as described by Sir
Edward Carson. first lord of the ad.
miralty; second, the building of mer.
chant ships; third, dispensing with
unnecessary commodities from abroad
and production of as much food as
possible at home"
The premier announced that the
government would guarantee price
of 80 shillings. 6 pence, for oats this
year; 81 shillings for the next two
years, and "a shillings for the three
following years. The price of pota-
toes would be guaranteed for the
coming season only at six pounds.
Forbid Imports.
Importation of apples, tomatoes and
fruits will be prohibited entirely, 1t
was announced. The opinion was ex.
pressed by the premier that food
prices we're not likely to decrease for
a long time after the war, inasmuch
as Germany would then be heavier
purchaser than ever before. There.
fore. it was safe to grant to the far.
,ners minimum price over definite
periol of time. which was the only
way to bring about immediate action.
The premier also proposed q mini
mum wage of Is shillings weekly for
agricultural workers.