The Robesonian., 1917-12-03
FOOD SITUATION GRAVE

Much More Serious Than Even
Experts Have Considered It Un-
til Recently-strict Economy
Necessary in Order to Win the
War and Save People of Neu-
trail Europe From Starvation.
A Raleigh dispatch states that DR..
K. l.. Wilbur, Food Administrator
Hoover's lieutenant who was in con-
sultation with OFFICERS of the State
food administration and other lead
ers IN conservation in Raleigh last
week. brought the authoritative in
formation that the food situation is
much more serious than even the ex-
perts have considered it until just
recently and that the critical period
OF the war is the next few months.
Inc greatest danger that threatens
the Allied cause and human liberty is
That there may be a collapse in
France, or England or Italy as a re-
suit of a food shortage. That this is
a real danger is frankly recognized by
those who are directing the war for
the Allies. The United States and Can
ada are the only countries from which
the Allies can draw for supplies The
transportation problem is of such a
grave nature that the utmost endeav-
or will be required to enable the au-
thorltles to transport even from
America the amount of foodstuffs
that will be required. The shipping
problem, in fact, is giving the author
tiles almost as much concern as the
food problem itself.
just how grave the food situation is
may be judged from the fact that
within another week we will have ex-
ported to our Allies as much wheat as
our normal margin amounts to. The
same is true of beef and pork pro-
ducts, and fats. A larger quantity of
sugar was long since exported. All
that we can send to our Allies and to
the neutrals Of Europe from now on
Will be what we can save from our
normal consumption through economy
and through the substitution of vege-
tables and other cereals for wheat
fish, poultry, game and nitrogenous
vegetables for meat. the fats and
|
duced consumption of these products.
The supply of>these exportable pro-
ducts is being carefully guaged by
the food administration experts and
exports will be made as rapidly as
they can be to not endanger the sup
ply required by our own people, The
first consideration of the food admin
lstration, Of course, is the welfare of
the people at home and their welfare
will not be endangered by shipments
which will draw too heavily upon the
supply which they will require. AT
the same time every individual is be-
ing urged and entreated to reduce his
consumption Of the exportable pro
ducts to the very lowest possible min
imum to the end that the supply avail
able for shipping may be Increased
every ounce possible
Not only does the success Of the
war depend upon the cooperation q
tke American people in the matter ct
foodstuffs but the fate Of several hun
dred thousands of European neutpels
is at stake. In fact, DR.. Wilbur brings
the startling information that despite
the very most that we can do, tens O.
thousands of neutral people in Eu
rope will no doubt perish from star
! vation during the next few months
If the American people through econ
/ omy and substitution save more thai
sufficient foodstuffs to barely suffic,
for our allies the balance will be di
verted to the neutral nations to saw
as many as possible of their peopl
from starvation.
Every man, woman, or child il
America who saves the smallest quan
tity Of beef or pork or mutton or su
gar or fats can have the satisfaction
Of knowing that he is not only help
ing to save our friends and Allies bu
that he is helping to save the innc
| cent people of neutral Europe fro1
actual starvation and death.
PRAISE II 6 S0IDIEPS