Charlevoix county herald., 1918-09-20


pose the American people should main
tain a common standard of bread with
them. Under these arrangements,
however, the bread situation in the
United States will be much easier
than last year, and in Allied Countries
an enormous Improvement. Bread to
them Is Of the first Importance as il
comprises fifty per cent Of their food
intake. By supplying them with
bread and fats in such amounts as will
not necessitate rationing on their side
we can rest assured that their cour.
age and strength in the war will re-
main high during next winter It will
be a bad winter in Europe because
coal will be much shorter there than
even last winter, and the health OF
their populations cannot be maintain
ed If they, in addition, are to be also
restricted in their allowance Of bread
and fats. Our complete fulfillment OF
our last years promises in food and
our assurances to furnish even larger
supplies this next year have removed
from them the last fear OF hunger.
Crisis Is Passed-Thanks to America.
The German drive and the apprehen-
sion Of famine last Spring brought
a great deal Of Encouragement to the
civilian populations OF England,
France and Italy. The arrival, how
ever of the American Army, their in
slant magnificent performance in ac-
ton, the gradual overcoming of the
submarine with the assistance Of our
Navy, together with our assurances Of
all necessary food, have put a new
heart into the Allies. Since the war
began I have not seen their spirit so
high or their determination to finish
the job so fixed as II Is today.
There is much bitter complaint
abroad at the prices Of our food pro-
ducts. 1t is necessary to remember
that the working people and soldiers
families of the Allied Countries are
upon a much lower average income
than our own people. The average
wage is not over $40 per week. The
government allowance to the average
soldiers family Is considerably less
than this. American bacon at 500 per
pound is very difficult to them. Their
governments have found 1t necessary
to sell our breadstuffs at great loss
in order to help the people out On
the other hand the higher wage level
In the United States renders our pro-
duction costs higher In any event.
"Europe Is Deeply Grateful" Hoover.
The only real difficulty in the Uni
ted States is sugar, and that Is a
shortage that cannot be helped We
cannot take ships from carrying our
Army or Allies bread and send them
and sweet drinks, and we will simply
have to divide the West Indian sugar
with the Allies and put up with what
we have There is, even then, enough
sugar for the essential uses for every
one, and much more than our friends
In Europe have.
Since have been away 1 have been
thanked time and again for what the
American people have done in food
during the past year The men, wo-
men and children of the Allied Coun-
tries at meetings and gatherings of
all descriptions expressed heartfelt
appreciation for the sacrifices we
have made which have meant to them
their daily bread during last year.
They universally express amazement
at its accomplishment on a voluntary
basis. have some many thousands
OF letters from children which l am
asked to distribute to children in Am
erica, expressing directly their knowl.
edge of whence and how their loaf
came to them. | have replied to all
these demonstrations, and believe the
American people will support the at
titude, that any expressions Of this
kind are unnecessary; that this war
in part belongs to us and that effort
in food production and saving by our
people Is but part of our job against
common foe.
Upon the Presidents authority that
we eat at a common table in a COM
mon cause, l have given assurance to
my food colleagues in Europe that we
will provide the enlarged demands for
next year.
We have to make good