Evening star., 1918-01-26
Food Situation in Europe
Demands More Saving Here,
Administrator Hoover Saws

In explanation of the food situation
and the necessity of further savings.
statement by Herbert Hoover was given
ton:
He says in part:
THE food situa ton in Europe has be-
come steadily more difficult, and larger
demands have now been made upon us
than ever before.
"On January 1 we had already ex-
ported the 60,0o0,000 bushels of wheat
which comprised our normal surplus
from the last harvest. The latest cable
from Lord Rhondda, who speaks on be-
half of the wheat control of the French,
English and Italian governments, needs
no added word from me:
Unless you are able to send the al
lies at least 100000 bushels of wheat
over and above what you have exported
up to January 1, and in addition to the
total expoFtable surplus from Canada,
l cannot take the responsibility of as
suring our people that there will be
food enough to win the war. Impera-
tive necessity compels me to cable
you in this blunt way. No one knows
better than I that the American people.
regardless of national and individual
sacrifice, have so far refused nothing
that is needed for the war, but it now
lies with America to decide whether or
not the allies in Europe shall have
enough bread to hold out until the
United States is able to throw its force
into the field. l have not minced words
because am convinced that the Ameri-
can people, if they know the truth, will
not hesitate to meet the emergency
Promise Made in Reply.
1--WE have replied. we will export
every grain that the American people
save from their normal consumption.
We believe our people will not fail to
meet the emergency
"In addition to this amount for the
allies we must find 15.a30.000 bushels
for the Belgian relief. or these people
whom we have supported all these
three years will starve; and We must
also furnish some 1a.ooO,0oo bushels for
Cuba and the neutrals upon whom we
are dependent for other foods in return.
We estimate the American people have
saved as much as 30oo0,00O bushels out
of the last harvest, and il we are to
meet the increased demands we must
rigidly reduce our wheat consumption
to 80 per cent below normal until next
harvest
mot only the increased demands, but
also the sharp and distressing reduc-
ton in rations amongst the allies are
evidence enough of the acute situation
we must meet.
President to Issue Program.
"The President will tomorrow issue
a program for food conservation. The
program in many particulars is of
necessity, largely voluntary. but in
some particulars it can be enforced
under the food bill. In any event no
measure that has not the loyal support
of the majority of our people can ever
succeed. The results of voluntary con-
servation during the last six months
abundantly prove the desire of the vast
majority to make the sacrifice neces-
sary to feed the allies and our own SOL
diers.
.'rhere is, however. a national risk
that we fail to secure the necessary
conservation through opposition of
minority disheartening the majority.
I'VE should like to have the authority to
make the minority bear its share of the
burden The situation does not bear
delay and We propose to do the best
we can on a voluntary basis. plus what
authority we do possess.
ut would be easier for us to ask less
than necessity demands. What we do
ask are not large percentages-there
is no priyation in them. In any event
we have no intention of exporting more
than our savings, for we must and will
protect the food supply of our own peo- |
ple.
Determined by Monthly Saving.
Therefore the fullness with which
we can meet these demands is deter
mined simply by our monthly saving. |
We have abundant other foods which
We can substitute for the exports want !
ed and il we could only eliminate all |
waste and all unnecessary consump-I
ton it would solve the problem. A |
large number of our people are not in |
a position to reduce consumption. Their |
daily life is of necessity one of con-
tinuous economy and saving. The re-
sponsibility and the burden of these I
savings must. therefore. fall in larg-
er degree upon those more fortunately
Situ3fed Those who have most must |
save most"
TELL OF TROUBLE IN VIENNA. !!