New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
Britain Cheerful
During Food Crisis;
Expects Victory
People Realize Danger OF
Famine, but Believe Ger.
many Has Misfired
BY ARTHUR s. DRAPER
IBy Cable 70 rne T3bun.l

BY Ctnle 70 Tne IDounep
London, Feb. 10.-Britain is IN more
cheerful mood at the present moment
than in months past. Although, thsre.is
feeling that bad times probably will
have to be faced in the next few
months, there is remarkably little
pessimism, while the belief Of the pec-
pie in a crushing victory over the
enemy was never stronger.
The action of the United States has
put fresh heart in everybody, despite
the Submarine campaign and despite the
food shortage. Incidentally, the first
week of voluntary bread, meat and
sugar rations has been a great success.
The end of one of the most critical
weeks Of the war finds individuals as
well as the newspapers inclined to q
mood of national stocktaking. On all
hands it is fully realized that for the
first time since the great offensive
against Calais England is the object Of
a direct assault.
There is not the slightest inclination
TO hide the fact that a race Is going on
with just one object-whether Ger
msny's submarine campaign will be able
10 starve England before the latters
coming great offensive on the Western
front writes paid" across Germanys
account.
Taken altogether, among moderate
people It is generally believed that Ger
many's latest outburst has practically
misfrsd 1t may be the campaign has
not yet reached the height OF It's IN
tensity. but the ssnest opinion feels
that Germany is using and has used all
her sayagery and cannot hope to raise
the figures Of previous sinkings more
Than 20 per cent, if that much.
Britain is not worrying on this score,
but another and internal question is
giving rise to considerable anxiety. II
is the matter Of home supplies, where
in the old controversy between the
army, which wants 20 claim all avail
able men, and industry and agriculture
is again rampant.
Eliminating the submarine menace
altogether, it is still certain that next
June will see Englsnd's food supplies
below the average unless all agricult-
urists are Immediately released from
the army Rowland Z. Prothero, the
new President Of the Board Of Agri-
culture, has implored the farmers to
plough up the grass lands and grow
corn and potatoes instead, but he IS
obliged to admit to-day that IL is now
too late 20 start this ploughing. Ap-
parently the War Office has overruled
his attempts TO keep skilled sgricult-
urists on the land, while the farmers
merely laugh At his notion to substi-
.ute men and women ACCUSTOMED TO
trades like piano tuning or jswelry sell
ing for their lifelong workers.
The extent 20 which farm labor has
been depleted was shown In two cases
before tho Sussex Tribunal to-day. One
applicant for exemption stated that he
was the sole cultiyator for 300 acres Of
land. In the second instance only two
men we're left to care for farm Of 356
acres.
The Middlesex Tribunal to-day or
dered men breeding 600 pig. yearly
70 join the colors within a month. The
process has reached q point where
large section o. the country is really
alarmed at the possibility Of food short
age, but meanwhile the three-cornered
+ ght continues-Lord DERBY wanting
men for the army, Prothero offering
ne farmers minimum prices and food
controller, and Lord Devonport 6xing
maximum prices to the consumer. The
solution of the diHculty is still in
doubt, and there Is still serious ques-
ton whether II will be possible now TO
arrange matters In time.