Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-12-27

The increase to which we have
pledged ourselves as a minimum is
based upon shipping conditions and
relates to the transportation to. and
maintenance of American soldiers on
The battle front. From New York TO
Liverpool is 1895 miles, as compared
with 625S miles from Buenos Ayres,
lO,6S0 from Bombay, and 1880
from Australia. If, by reason of fail
ure in our food program. a ship
would have to be diverted to the Ar
Sentine il would mean one shipload
of soldiers less across the seas. A
ship diverted to India would mean
the loss OF more than two shiploads
of soldiers, and to Australia almost
three shiploads.
The shipping of the world at the
beginning Of the war, with no heavy
drafts upon it for the transportation
OF troops, was none too large to meet
the world demands. 1t then totaled
about 4S,500,000 tons. On August
/, 1918, the estimate of sinking was
placed at about 100000 tons, so
that with shipping. as with food. an
increase in demand must be met with
u decreased supply.
This curtailment of shipping has
made imperative the maintenance of
the straight line across the sea.
Therefore, the additional food bur-
den assumed by the United States, to
maintain this straight line, trans
lates Immediately into terms of sol
diers transported and maintained. AS
compared with pre-war food ship
ments, our present program allows
sending across and feeding 100000
more soldiers than would be the case
had we not assumed this added obli-
CATION.
Before the war, with normal con
ditions prevailing in production, our
exports TO the allied countries were
sufficient to ration complete about
100000 men per year. Last year
our exports to them were complete
rations for about 100000 men,
and this year our minimum must be
complete rations for 33,000,O00 men,
added by the burdens that fall upon
us by conquest of territory This, in
shipping across the sea, means the
transportation of troops, to give as
great preponderance as possible to
man power, on the battle fronts in
the hope of an early and successful.
termination of the war
Even If peace should come at an
early date, it would not add one
pound of food to our supply. On the
contrary, it would enormously in
crease our food obligations because it
would allow us to reach with food
the people of Poland, Roumania,
Serbia, Armenia, European Russia
and others who are now without ade-
quate food supply. The total number
of these peoples has been estimated
at $50, 100000, some of whom have
partial food resources and some of
whom are now literally in starving
condition.
Summarized then, our food condi-
ton is as follows: Our food re-
sources are about the same as those
of last year AS minimum our ex-
ports must be increased about so per
cent. They will be materially added
to by every mile of territory re-
gained on the battle lines and enor-
mously added to by the coming of
peace.
1t should not be forgotten that the
United States already has more than
100000 men overseas and they are
going over at the rate of $50, 900 per
month An immediate peace prob
iCll " III rbC " SCI ihIDV IilCll u
ported back. 1t has been estimated
by the military authorities that this
will take at least two years.
Because of extraordinary demands
to be made on shipping for the con
veyance of food with the coming of
peace. it seems probable that hope
for the immediate transportation
home of our troops, will lie in being
able to supply ships bringing troops
with food supplies TO carry back.
That there will be an imperative de-
mand, especially on the part of the
mothers of the country, for the
quickest possible bringing home of
the soldier boys there can be no
question. This means maintenance
of the straight line of shipping for
some time after the war.
Just what provision we may feel
necessary to make to supply Ger
many with food or what safeguards
are to he imposed in order that Ger
many will receive food only after the