Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-21
FOOD DICTATOR
IS BOSS Of ALL
LOYAL TEUTONS
[Reoublican A. q Leased wire1

GENEVA Feb 2O.--Germary now
has real "boss-' in General Won Luz
dendorff. first quartermaster general
The hand of Field Marshal Won Hin
denburg's chief of staff and trusted
colleague now is felt not only in his
itrategct.c determinations and direc-
ton OF the armies of the central pow
rs, but reaches out into Germany's
whole economic and social life
All the threads not only of military
control but also of civil administration,
.ood distribution. industry, agriculture
and finally even of German foreign re-
atlons. all of which are subordinated
TO military requirements, run ulti-
mately TO the chateau at the Silesian
country seat of the Prince of Pless,
where General Won Ludendorff sits
with the great field marshal, Won Hiu-
ienburg. at imperial headquarters.
Where purely military decision in
question, Won Hindenburgs name is
cited as authority, but in all other
great questions such as the introduce
non OF universal auxiliary labor ser
nee, the conversion of German author
ty to an absolute war basis the trans
er of Belgian workmcn to Germany,
The tightening of the food distribution
equations, and finally, unrestricted
submarine war, the prophecies of COM
ing decisions in informed circles were
almost invariably accompanied by the
self explanatory remark "Ludendorff
st dafuer ULudendorff is for it,"
The talented general staff officer.
who in the exciting days of August,
9li, when Lieutenant General Won
PrittWitZ under Gaffron German COM
mander in the east. had determined to
etire before Russian forces was hur-
sled eastward from imperial headduar-
tiers, picking up Field Marshal Won Hin
ienburg on the way. to save the situa-
ton, has merely extended to all of
iermany the system which he intro
duced in the east
His first decision was to remedy as
far as possible the error of General
Won Falkenhayn. former chief of the
general staff. who had attempted To-
Tx the figure for the maximum con-
sumption of munitions. and had under
estimated sadly the required amounts
General Won LudendOrff's determine
ton was to produce not the amount of
guns and munitions which experts
might calculate as necessary. but the
maximum amount Of which Germanys
industries were capable. and subordi-
mated everything else to this purpose
5on Ludendorffs determination was to
produce not the amount of guns and
munitions which experts might calcu-
ate as necessary. but the maximum
amount Of which Germanys industries
we're capable. and subordins ted every
thing else to this purpose
From this came Germany's scheme of
modifying the entire labor supply in
iirect service to the army. The idea of
he compulsory employment of Belgian
labor in German industry also was
General Won Ludendorff s.
hgYa
and the civil administration of Bel
GUM suggested the inpossibilty of
carrying out that scheme without ex-
citing diplomatic complications, it was
the higher military authority" which
overruled the objection
The Krupps. August Thyssen, the
| iron magnate other big industrial
leaders Of Germany. go direct to Cen
eral Won Ludendorff for directions re-
garding the production of munitions
and supplies. Thyssen last autumn
brought from Won LudendOrff the word
that there would be no ruthless subma-
rine war and it was again from the
| chateau at Pless. after the rejection of
| Germany's peace oYertures had changed
the situation. that word came in Jan
uary that the ruthless submarine pol
! icy had received the stamp of APP
prevail.
| 1t is an open secret that the farming
| classes are holding out food sup
plies from the general stock for the
| nations necessities. The won linden
| burg appeal to the patriotism Of the
| farmers to provide extra fats for mu-
| milton workers. which brought out tons
of pork and lard from hidden supplies,
was inspired by General Won Luden-
dorff 1t was reported also at the time
OF the departure from Berlin of the
correspondent of The Associated Press
that the task of getting from the farm
ers the full amount of the hidden agra =
/ rian surplusage now win be taken in
| hand by General Won Ludendorff and
enforced by him.
! All these determinations are covered
| by Field Marshal Won Hindenhurg s
name but the field marshal leaves
such non military problems almost ex-
! clusivelv to Won Ludendorff. who, as
| far as that is possible, is the dictator
| Of Germany.