The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-12-26
PEACE AIDS TO
U. S. FOOD TASK
Europe Needs Nearly Double
Last Years Supplies From
America.
ECONOMY MUST CONTINUE.
World Survey Shows Sufficient Wheat,
But Shortage of FatAGovern-
ment's StimuiatiVe Pro-
gram Justified.

With the return of peace America is
confronted by a food problem even
harder of solution than that with
which we COPIED in time of war. We
have an entirely new world situation
in food. 1t will mean essential changes
in our domestic program. But more
important than this. It must of neces-
sity require increased export.
Last year we shipped II, $4,000 tons
of foOdstuffs to the European Allies.
Had the war continued we would have
increased this enormous figure to H.
$4,000 tons in the present year. Now,
with the responsibility of feeding mil
ions of people liberated from the Ger
man yoke, our exports must be brought
up to at least 100000 tons-prac-
tically the limit of loading capacity at
our ports.
World Food Demand Increased.
The end of the war will create an
enormously increased demand for food.
Humanity demands that the starving
millions freed from Prussian oppres-
sion shall have sufficient supplies to
assure their return to health and pros
faced with starvation they cannot e.
tabli-h orderly governments. Hunger
breeds anarchy in a people, The war
to free the world for democracy will
be lost after it has been Won Amer
lea must continue its work to liberia
ton and by sharing its food make de-
mocracy safe in the world
In order to meet this new situation
A i.
careful survey of the food resources of
the whole world in relation to the to-
tai demands. Computing supplies on
the basis of the avoidance of waste
and war consumption, it is found that
wheat and rye may be obtained in suf-
f1cient quantities to meet economical
world consumption; high protein feed
for dairy animals will show a shortage
of about 100000 tons, while there
will be sufficient supplies of other
feeds to allow economical consumD-
ton; beans, peas and rice will also be
found in sufficient quantities to main
tain economy in consumption; there
are sufficient supplies of beef to keep
pace with the capacity of refrigerating
space.
Great Fat Shortage.
The most distinct reversal of policy
will come with pork and dairy prod
ucts, vegetable oils, sugar and coffee.
Utmost economy will be required in
the use of fats and oils, in which there
Is world shortage of about 100000
600 pounds. There are sufficient sup
plies for US to return to our normal
sugar consumption if other nations
cnnfinnn thar oh
or even if their rations are slightly in
creased. If the European countries,
however, are to resume their normal
sugar consumption it will be through
our continued conservation in order
to share with them. There is a sur
plus of coffee.
OF the world total required to pro-
duce these results North America will
furnish more than 60 per cent. The
United States, including the West In
dies, will be in a position to furnish
Q total Of about 100000 tons
against our pre-war exports of about
100000 tons.
The bread grains situation allows
the world to abandon the use of sub
stitutes in wheat bread. Large sup
plies have accumulated in the Argen-
tine, Australia and other hitherto in
accessible markets. A continued high
milling percentage. economy of con-
sumption and elimination of waste
make it possible for the world to re-
turn to white wheat loaf
OF all our export possibilities in
fats, the largest and most important
item is pork. While we cannot supply
the world deficiency, we will be able
to help it enormously because of the
past policies of stimulating production
and restraining consumption. The
governments policy with regard to
stimulating the production of wheat
and OF pork, the readiest source of
fats. is thus amply justified by the sit
uation upon the return OF peace.
Famine specter Still Stalks.
The people of the United States
must continue care and wise economy
In the use of food in order to complete
the work Of liberating the world. But
even with the utmost conservation and
production In this country there will
be In Europe for the next year or more
starvation beyond all human power to
a1ay. In North Russia there are 40
100000 people to whom food cannot
be made accessible this winter. Their
transportation is demoralized in COM
plete anarchy. And even if internal
transport can be assured their ports of
entry would soon be frozen. Millions
more who have felt keenIy the oppres-
sion OF war will be beyond reach of as
aistance.
We must realize that upon our
shoulders rests a greater responsible
u than we have ever before been
asked to assume. We must realize that
millions Of lives depend absolutely
upon the continued service and sacri-
nee OF the American people
We must realize that the specter of
famine abroad now haunts the album