Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-19
Tuesday, March 10, 1918.
The Job Ahead Of Us.

ne Jo0 Anedo OF w.
The leading editorial in the London
Daily Telegraph of last Friday is cap
toned 1.-THE Peril of the Sea Trans
port" in which 1t is urged that the
United States government hold back
endorsements for its army in Europe
and increase its food supplies to the
allies. 1t says in part: 1--WE are ap-
preaching the supreme test of the is
sue"
Sometimes Americans, in official
and private life. are confronted With
terrible misgivings-fears that we have
been misled by the boasts Of our allies,
and that in spite of all we can do for
them and ourselves. the Prussian
Juggernaut is to roll over them and US.
Months ago the British premier said
he no longer feared the undersea boats
of the enemy: that the problem had
been solved-but for the last three
weeks the admitted sinkings have been
disheartening, if not startling to the
allies.
And right here is the point where our
misgivings begin-are we being told
the worst?
The policy of covering up the things
that our enemies know about for fear
they will learn of it through the Ameri-
can people has cost a feeling in the
United states that should not be here.
let us know the worst and provide for
it,
Some how, in some way, the Arnerl-
can people must be so shaken as to
take hold OF this war thing ALL TO-
GETHER as though every man and
woman fully grasped the meaning OF
failure That is nowhere evident now
It is doubtful if the Teutons got
much food from the grain bins of
southwest Russia; but if the masses OF
Germany and Austria Hungary can be
persuaded to hold out until fall, then
the German promises Of fabulous prices
for grain to the Russian peasants will
have done for the central allies what
perhaps the United States will have
tailed to do for the entente.
There is where we stand today:
Can we feed England and France. Bel
GUM, Italy and Holland, to say moth
ing of aid to several other neutrals.
and at the same time, build the ships
to send it to Europe-always with the
tremendous U-boat discount?
can VIC do it? We MUST do it, or
all is lost.
Our lob this summer is one of two
tremendous things-we must either
whip Germany decisively on the west
ern front this summer, or raise a food
crop in this country beyond the dream
OF any previous year.
When England and France virtually
ask us. through an inspired editorial In
a leading newspaper. to suspend ship
ment Of men and send food in their
place. then our allies are fully aware
that the greatest factor in the war at
the present time is FOOD.
The world is confronted with famine,
il this years crops should fail In a
large percentage. for the worlds sur
plus has been reduced to far below the
danger point by nearly four years of
waste and destruction, and by de-
creased production--and we are con-
fronted by inability to mobilize the
forces necessary to secure an average
crop in this great storehouse OF
America.
Recognizing these facts. then what
are we to expect II American food
crops should be largely stricken by
weather or pests. and the firm of Me
und Colt" should he blessed with
abundance in Rumania, in the Ukraine
and other great Slavic grain producing
provinces:
That is the last hope Of Prussianism
TO be sure. but II the Prussian wal
masters realize that hope. what then?
Would it not mean that our allies
would be starved into submission ia
just what Russia and Rumania and
Scandinavia are now submitting?
And If our allies should fall. what