New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-12
u. s. Needs Coolies
To Prevent Famine,
Asserts DR.. Hills
Two Million Required for
Harvests if Riots Are To
Be Averted, He Says

Chinese coolies must be imported by
the millions 70 save this country from
famine and the conduct of the war
from grave peril, DR.. Newell Dwight
Hills declared yesterday in his ser
mon in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn
"Unless some such striking step as
this is taken" be said, "this country
will reap not over three-fourths Of this
years harvests. There will be bread
riots in the streets. Food will quad
rupl. In price. Workingmen will be-
come desperate. The people will turn
on their rulers and blame them Tor
feebleness and incompetence and lack
Of vision. One thing the people never
forgive, namely, hunger"
Saws Coolies Will Save Problem
The introduction Of Chinese sgricul-
tural labor-one million or two mill
ion men-was the only solution Of the
inevitable food problem that would
arise next fall, he said. 1t was the
one practical method OF gaining on
Germany, which impressed subject looor
for its fields and factories at ten cents
a day, while the United States was la
boriously concentrating such Of its IN
dustrial strength as remained from the
draft upon its shipyards at six and
seven dollars a day.
Owe do not want to impress slaves,
he said, "but fortunately our govern
ment can, if it desires, enact law
that will enable the President to con
tract with China for one or two mill
ion men TO come TO our western farms
and remain there until six months after
the war. These men can cOnine them
selves 70 feeding the people, thus IN
no way interfering with men IN fac-
tories. Some selfish labor union leader
NAV object. but a man is traitor who
makes il hard 70 get bread for our sol
diers and so delays our winning this
war" go
The greatest handicap Of the Allies,
declared DR.. Hills, was in Industry
Germany had made a freebooung
venture out of the war and by plllag-
ing Belgium, Poland, Northern France,
Rumania and now Italy and making
close-fsted bargain with Balkan and
Moslem allies was conducting the war
At d net profit in cash, land and sup
plies Of all kinds.
Great Britain, with 100000 soldiers
and 5000 900 women in munltlon FAC
tories. had modified its national re-
sources at last and stood a compact
adversary against the foe, he declared.
"The lesson Of England's experience
Is this. that every factory in our coun-
try now turning out luXuries should be
taken over by the government TO turn
ont munitions; that every loom and
lathe and forge and hammer; that
every mine and arsenal and shipyard,
should be dedicated to this one task,
and that the heart and mind and soul
OF this Republic should be gwen TO
this cause OF humanity and seli-sacrl-
fee. As things are gong now IL VIII
take US three years TO get fully INTO
this war when by acting Immediately
we could end IL next autumn. Like our
allies we must pour out orr wealth Oy
billions and fling into the preach LOT
freedom Of the world, not our mater ia,
possessions simply, but our lmmehor iai
heritage, our treasured cltizeIshlp p
our inneTmOFt cOnNlCSAOHoi WI
and lind and soul"
Warns Against Indecision
II was futile. DR.. Hills declared, 10
neet new crises with "Well, we must
hone for the best" The man who al
lowed his boat 20 drift into the RAPIDS
above the falls had forfeited his righI'
20 "hope for the best" he said. ne
pointed out that the news from Italy
beaten back for lack Of munitions, was
"a striking illustration Of the penalty OF
indecision. incompetence and unin-
formed optimism" Ten weeks ago ne
said. Italy's King had urged his ma
tions need upon it's allies.
Twenty ships laden with American
coal" he continued, would have re
opened italy's munition factories and
equipped C0dorua with shells, but q.
penalty the cost may be second
American army 20 be sent 20 ltaly
hundreds Of ships loaded with Ameri-
can coal and untold American lives lost
in recovering ground that was thrown
Bishop Luther p. Wilson. Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, called
Italy's plight 80 20 guns and shells 20
the attention Of the congregation Of ~,
Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal
Church. lie expressed confidence m
Russia az an ally, and warned his
hearers against loose statements cslcu-
lated 20 discourage American soldiers
Rabbi Praises Loyalty
Rabbi Samuel Schulman. speaking on
"War Virtues" In Temple Bethel, said
that loyalty and self-sacrihce headed
IN. list. III / were asked" he said
"yhat this terrible war into which
America has been dragged means
morally and spiritually for Americans
T would say that u Will prove the com
.to,ior Of the work Of education Of the
li,izcus Of American democracy into a
eonnIete and unified and perfected
American nationality,
III" "gv the hand Of the great virtue OF
,ovalty every trace OF hyphenism in
hmsriean life will eventually be de-