Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-25
MACEDONIA MAY BECOME
NEW GRANARY OF BALKANS
Rich and Productive Region in An
tiquity May Be Restored to
Former Condition.
MANY SOLDIERS ARE TO STAY
Will Remain and Take Up Agricul-
ture-Nccessary to Combat Marsh
Fcver-Water Power Is Waiting
Development.

WASHINGTON, August 24.-Mace-
donna, rs a result OF the war, may be-
come the Granary of the Balkans as
it was in antiquity Only a part OF it's
soil has been cultivated in modern
times. and that with very rudlmentary
means.
The possibility OF retaining the I'M
cultivated areas after the war and
utilizing them for growing wheat and
other cereals has attracted the atten-
ton of experts who have gone there
with the allied armies, say Department
Of Commerce advices from Saloniki
Greece. The French, especially. are
interested.
Many OF the soldiers there, OF all ma
tionalities represented, plan to estab-
lish themselves there and take up agri-
culture after war. reports George Hor-
ton. American consul-general at Salon
Xxi. The soldiers have seen how rich
is the soil and what wonderful results
it produces with inadequate means.
European immigration, 1t Is asserted
should not be encouraged until three
problems have been solved. These are
how to combat the marsh fever, how
TO amcliorate the conditions Of tho In
habitants and, better. their homes and
sanitary surroundings. to introduce
American farm machinery and other
saving devices.
Marsh fever Is regarded as having
done rs much toward devastating the
country as years OF war. Fortunately,
the country. which will be benefited
In many ways by the presence Of the
allied armies, will also have the bene-
MT of efforts now being made to com
bat the fever. A durable and efficient
organization, whose sole duty will be
to solve definitely this problem, is ex-
pccted to be the outgrowth of army
organization.
For centuries the Macedonians have
lived amid insanitary conditions. Amel-
ioration OF this condition must come
before the real development of the
country. The people have labored with
the most primitive tools and have rare
ly been sure OF enjoying the fruits Of
their toll Yet they must provide the
main body Of laborers for the cultiva-
ton and redemption of Macedonia, be-
cause they are Injured to climatic con-
ditionS.
Motor and tractor implements. maxi
Ing labor easier In the trying climate,
also are necessary because they would
solve to large extent the question
of obtaining a sufficient number of
workers. American tractor implements
are already being used successfully by
the British and French armies and
recently an American Red Cross de-
tachmcnt arrived here with the pur-
pose of cultivating the extensive plains
south of Monastir. American farm i'm
plements having been introduced,
should play an important part In tho
redemption OF Macedonia.
Water power is also waiting develop-
ment. Mr.. Horton says the principal
grain merchants report that the an
nual crop OF cereals of the three vilay-
cts or provinces Of Monastir, Kossovo
and Saloniki, In the years preceding
1880. was 100000 to 1000 tons. Since
then the yield has decreased to 1O0,-
600 tons, principally because Of in
secure conditions and emigration of
workers.
With the modern methods at work
and with some plains drained, 1t Is 'es-
timated that region should yield at
least 100000 tons OF grain, and with
this done Macedonia would turn back
Its history and again be tho granary
Of the Balkans"