Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-22
5000 SWEDESASK
FOOD EXPORTS'STOP
Assemble at Riksdag Building
to Emphasize Demand for
Home Supply.
DAILY RATI0NS REDUCED

STOCKHOLM. April 81. via London.
April %. s:45 ANA crowd of workmen.
estimated to number 5000. congregated
this afternoon before the Riksdag build
ing to emphasize their demand for the
stoppage of all exports of food. for a
better distribution of foodstuffs and for
an immediate commercial agreement with
Great Britain.
Premier Swartz had just finished q
speech informing the two chambers OF
parliament of the Swedish food situation.
and the crowd called for NJ. Branting. the
socialist leader, who left the session Of
the lower chamber to speak to the DEM
onstrators. From the steps of the Riks-
dag he promised that he and his asso-
ciates would continue to work for the re-
alization of the workingmen's just de-
mands.
Assemblage Is Orderly.
Mayor Lindhagen and Editor Hanson,
a member of the socialist executive COM
mittee. also spoke to the demonstrants,
| who departed singing the 'Internation-
ale" The assemblage was most orderly
throughout, and the police paid no at
tention to it,
Hunger demonstrations are reported
from several points in Sweden. More
than 5000 laborers formed procession
| in Westerns and visited the city hall.
Twelve hundred persons are said to have
taken part in similar demonstration In
Norrkoeping.
| Prime Minister Swartz submitted to
the riksdag detailed statement on food
conditions in Sweden and explained the
necessity for the recent reduction of
daily rations. He said the ration had
been adjusted first on the calculation
that $4,000 tons of rye and wheat to-
gether would be available the first of the
year. An inventory showed, however.
only 100000 tons, from which 10000 tons
would have to be taken for seed. The
premier said that 126.O00 tons had been
purchased abroad, but that it was un-
certain whether or when 1t could be
brought in.
Flour Ration Reduced.
| The flour ration has been reduced for
| farmers households from twelve to ten
Kilograms monthly and for nom farmers
| from $50 grammes daily to 200 He said
that 100000 supplementary bread cards
| already had been issued and that there
was still shortage of about $4,000 tons
of flour. but that this would be covered
| by the appropriation OF a portion of the
| coming spring crop of oats. barley and
| mixed grains.
Inc SITUATION now. the premier declared,
| tusti1es the statement that no further
| reduction of rations will be necessary
| until late in September. when the new
harvest will be available. The fodder
| supply for live stock, however is still
| insufhcients The premier declared that
| the potato situation was unsatisfactory
and the increasing scarcity must be
| reckoned with until July. Referring to
the export of meats, the premier said:
Claims Supply Sufficient.
'Such expectation as is going or\ now
| must be regarded as direct consequence
of increased slaughtering which has
brought a much greater amount of meat
| on the market than in normal years
| Large exports of live stock always were
made in such years without causing a
scarcity of meat at home. The present
| exports do not reach half the normal fig
| ures. SO one can see that the amount
| left in the kingdom is amply sufficient
for all requirements"
The export of swine. he said has been
| regulated carefully although no export
prohibition existed. On account of the
| lack of fodder it has been necessary to
permit the export of some pigs since 1t
was feared that otherwise there would be
increased Strengthening, which might also
| involve brood sows.
| Premier Swartz concluded with an ex.
preston of confidence that the restric.
| tons would be borne uncomplainingly.