New-York tribune., 1918-08-19
Frosts in June and Heavy
Rains Recently Have
Retarded Crops
Fertilizing Supplies
And Labor Are Short
Products Expected From
Russia Kept Back by
Revolution
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w WASHINGTON, Aug. lS.-The food
situation in Germany VIII be bad this
winter. according to reliable advces
reaching Washington through neutral
countries During the summer the
food pressure has been relieved to Il
considerable extent by the availability
which the Germans must subsist dur
ing the winter are said to be III very
poor condition. in consequence the
people Of the Central Powers Will be
put to new tests of endurance this
winter.
German crops Will be successve!v
worse each year. agricultural experts
here declare. The German farmer has
practised intensive agriculture and has
in normal times secured. perhaps. the
largest yield per acre of any farmer
in the world. Intensive agriculture.
however. it is pointed out. requires
plenty OF fertilizer and much cultiva-
tion. Germany is now beginning to
feel q shortage Of both fertiiizing ma
ter!al and farm labor.
This spring German crops Were in
excellent condition during the early
growing season, but June was the cold
est month Germany has experienced 4
in many years. The thermometer went
down to 30 degrees repeatedly. and
there werS frosts which not only re-
tarded the crops but actually destroyed
much vegetation. July was very dry
for the most part, though toward it's
end there were heavy rains. These
conditions were far from ideal for good
crops.
From all the information available,
agricultural experts believe the German
grain crops are probably in very bad
condition. 1t will be impossible to fore
cast the condition Of the potato crop
until late this month. While it has
been popular belief that Germany
would obtain considerable food assist
ance from Russia. and from the
Ukraine in particular. officials here
declare that the Central Powers have
secured very little food from this
quarter. Germany hersel. counted on
finding valuable food surpusses in
Russia, it is stated but she found in
stead empty bins.
The explanation for this is to be
found in Two conditions which existed
IN Russia, prior 10 the complete break
down Of that nation. For months be-
fore Russia collapsed the Transports
ton systems feeding the armies had
been deteriorating. In consequence
the Russian army comnlssary had to
resort TO foraging, and therefore con-
sumed practically all food stocks in
the rich agricultural states close to
what was the eastern front.
The second factor which robbed the
Germans Of what food assistance they
might have obtained from Russia was
the revolutionary debauch in which
practically all the peasants indulged
after the fall of the monarchy. The
large landlords were disposscssed and
their holdings divided The peasant
farmers. instead of planting crops. pro-
ceedcd to celebrate their new freedom.
Russia produced little food during
1917 and the situation has been little
improved this year.
While the necessity for q military
decision on the Western front still will
remain. the food situation in the Cen
trail Powers may contribute good deal
to their eventual defeat. The feeling
OF the German people in this connec-
tion will not be improved by Herbert
Hoover's recent pronounccment that
the food crisis in the Allied countries
has been successfully passed.