TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1917-10-18
RAILROADS AND
HUNGER IN RUSSIA.
DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO Be.
SOLVED WITH THE ASSIS-
TANTOF THE UNITED STATES

Here is a dispatch from
Changchun, a railroad center in
Manchuria, which throws a vivid
light on one Of the problems
which Russia must solve, and in
the solution OF which American
enterprise, financial resources
and technical skill can aid more
powerfully than any other agen-
cy:
Manchurian and Siberian
wheat probably will be >.
ported to America to replace
American wheat shipped to
the entente allies in Europe
Because Of the lack Of locomo.
tives and cars, it is impossible
to send the wheat surplus
from eastern Asia into Europe,
an Russia. AT scores of rail
way stations in Siberia and
Manchuria sacks Of wheat on.
ly slightly protected by ten.
porary sheds are rapidly de-
teriorating.
Russia is in the grip Of hun.
ger. III frequently has been in
the grip Of hunger in normal
times. This grip is Tightening
as the machinery OF state dis
integrates under the stress Of
war and Of aimless agitation,
Russia is facing this winter one
of the worst disasters in its hi
story-the Disaster Of a general
famine.
The reasons for these periodic
famines are the same now as
they have been In the past. The
granary Of Europe produces
enough wheat to feed itself and
the rest Of Europe besides. But
ii is unable to distribute it be.
cause Of the ~incffciency Of its
railroad service. AT the present
ominous time-ominous Tor the
millions Of Russia-the wheat
producers Of Siberia and Man.
churia are planning TO export
their product to America be.
cause they lack the facilities iot
its distribution in the furnishing
interior.
One Of The great outstanding
problems Of Russia is the recon
struction Of its railway service.
The Russian government real.
izes this fact. All thinking Rus,
slams realize it. A few days be.
fore the publication Of the dis.
patch cited above a Russian
newspaper, the "Russkoye Slo.
vo', published in this city, said
editorially:
The federal government Of
the United States recently ap-
pointed a special railroad wal
commission. During the brieI
period Of its activities this
commission has succeeded in
increasing the freight-carrying
capacity Of the American rail
ways by 20 per cent. Tht
commission hopes to be abl'
to effect further material in
creases in the freight carry
ing capacity OF the railroad
without making any ~essentia
changes in their rolling stock
1t would be a good plan t
hand over to such American
{ the direction of the RussiaI
railway lines. Americans il
|. Russia could reduce time an.
distance TO a minimum a
{ they have reduced them in tn
/ United States.
! Here is a great opportunit
{ Tor American enterprise. Her
Z is a great opportunity for Amer
ican capital and American tech
I meal skill, not only to confer
vast material benefit upon I'll
Russian people, but TO rendc
important aid in making til
4 Russian democracy a success.
u The only obstacle to the al
"a plication Of American none
and American brains to Il
u overshadowing material probes
Of Russia is the extreme ant
capitalistic Legislation, inspire
e by socialist dreamers, which hi
ls made Russia an uncertain plaC
Tor the activities Of capital, VIII
fher American or Russian.
+: Russia must set its house
order. 1t must secure the RICH
Of property. 1t must restore Il
4 plunging ship Of state to
- even keel. When it has ma
Russia safe for industrial ente
nriee. Americans will be with