New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06

situation facing England this spring
TFicient Germany did not arrange IT'S
affairs for a three years war; England
which once boosted Of its ability 10
"muddle through smiied "heI
Kitchener prophesied three years at
least Of sighting. I.
The war was too big 90 comprehend'
Il came too quickly 90 under s'and.
Serbia and Belgium uever had chance
from the moment the German Dfe''
General Staff decided they stood in 'l'
,yav. France first realized wnat
meant. Germany was still tNcefciu git
cheerful and hopeful after eighteen
months Of fighting; England had no.
begun 10 throw her full weight mo
the war two years ego.
Two wears ago people talked as i inc
v,ar vas TO be decided merely D. mon
and machines. the winner being inc
sid, which could produce the greatest
reserves i'm men and guns and m.iitaiy
skill The economic factor was n"TdIy
considered at that period.
All VIII Suffer
n Germany. with her great rcputa-
ton FOR efficiency ard light. had an
rcipatcd three years Of fighting would
not her crararcs have been better
stacked? n England had taken kl'ch-
ener's prophecy IN all serousncsr' Ne
viIo Chamberlain would not now ne
orcanizirg the Army with the SPADE.
None OF the belligcrents D. likely 10
ho driven out of this war By starva-
ton. bat most Of them VIII suffer PR
vatIOns.
To escape starvation Germany re-
sorted 70 the levy en- masso, ana even
with the c.evcrest kind OF government
supervision and regulation the iood
shortage IS having direct bearing
upon the military operations Oh the
Central Powers.
Perhaps these figures VIII show why
II is necessary for Britain 20 organize
the Army with the Spade:
Potatocr. &c ID. Butter. SOC ID.
CaulfOwer, 25c MIX, re a.,
head Cheese. Ale ID.
Cabbage. i2c. Eggs, toc do%'
Apples l6c III. Beef. nc ib.
Brussels sprouts Mutton, 4Dc ID
Sc ID. Bacon, lie IN.
Some Of these prices represent an
increase Of more than POO per cent over
those ruling before the war. Nothing
is cheaper than before the war-not
even rents but wages have not m
creased anyway near prOportoratc!y
with the prices Of food.
For long time the government have
undertaken TO regulate the supply Of
sugar and also its price; they have also
decided to regulate the price of tea,
coffee, milk, butter. cheese and lard.
Many other commodities viii be added
but so long as the shortage IN tonnage
continues the only way TO meet the Do
ficiency is by home production. That
is the job Of the Army with the Spade
U-BOats a Real Boon
No Englishman admits any friend
shin for tho Germans as individuals
or as race. but England will owe
something TO ven TirDitz, Won Revent-
low and every other fire eater. Inc
submarine has driven all England 20
the soil, and Britons will get much out
of il not only food 70 tide over the
coming period of stress. but health
and a huge amount Of satisfaction.
Instead of golf clubs with the mem
hers competing for cups. there VII! be
farming clubs with prizes for the big
gest head of cabbage raised by mem
ter, the largest amount Of potatoes
produced in given plot
These clubs are not restricted 70 men
or women; there is no age limit; no
long waiting lists. All you have 10 do
is to ask for plot of ground and then
90 TO work. And on a Saturday after
noon it is worth while taking a trip out
to one of the large plots and seeing
women. wearing short skirts and heavy
toots. working alongside middle-aged
men. turning sods and getting the
ground into condition for the early
crops.