New-York tribune., 1918-01-29
By Arthur S. Draper

LONOON, Jan. 2S.-Brltaln'S suffer
ing on account of the food shortage is
acute. In less than ten weeks there has
been a profound change in the coun-
try's economic position. Whether it
has been brought about by an unfortu-
nate run of luck in importing supplies
through the submarine zone, or from
lack of foresight in the high places, or
from general depletion of the worlds
storehouses because Of the war makes
little difference.
1t Is unfortunate, but the people are
not prepared for the present cond-
tlons; in fact, the frequent optimistic
reports of submarine snkings have led
them to draw entirely wrong conclu-
sions. The result is that there has been
lot of bitter complaining over the
hardships of standing for hours in long
queues, often to get only fraction Of
the food required.
Labor Blames Government
The failure of the government to in
troduce compulsory rationing last sum-
mer in essentials is responsible for
much of the present confusion and dis
satisfaction. There is no mistaking the
fact that labor intends to play a big
part in political affairs, and it is gain
ing strength through the weakness Of
the government in handling the food
problem.
The situation cannot be character
lied as anything milder than gravely
serious. Lord Rhondda's injunction to
the people to pull in their belts and
laugh at the enemy is being followed;
but though the people are laughing at
the enemy they are turning sour faces
toward those they consider respon-
sible for supplying and distributing
food.
AS is usually the case, the thickly
populated sections are suffering the
most. Many of the country districts
are still enjoying comparatively normal
conditions. In Clyde. Manchester Liv-
erpool and London the shortage is be-
ing felt the most. Though the working
people are hard hit. the middle class is
feeling the pinch most because they
enjoy pre-war income and nothing
more.
For full month in the middle Of
winter meat has been so scarce that
the people have obtained less than a
quarter of the normal amount. There
Is little hope of improvement until the
beginning of summer, though compul-
sorry ratonng by tickets will be insti-
tuted by the end of next month. Ac-
cording to Lor Rhondda, in a single
week the submarines have sunk ships
carrying 100000 pounds Of bacon.
Britain raises only 30 per cent Of its
normal consumption of meat. Though
the stocks of cattle are only per cent
below normal, it is held that it would
be poor business to slaughter now in
stead of waiting until the grass season.
A small amount of horse meat is be
ing sent to market, but there is little
ilkellhood OF its becoming popular un-
Iess the pinch becomes more severe
butter has disappeared like snow under
the sun. One reason is the cutting off
OF imports from the Scandinavian coun-
tries. For the same reason there is al
most a total lack of cheese. Since the
ratlonlng of milk and the forbidd!ng Of
us sale cream and milk supplies have
increased, and shortly there should be
an increase in both cheese and butter
supplies.
Sugar Sold by Cards
However, it is toward America that
Ihe people are looking for meat, but
Ter, bacon, cheese and wheat. To date
lhe ministry of food has issued tickets
Tor only one staple, sugar, which is
beng distributed satisfactorily. It ha,
hNed minimum prices for bread ce
reals, milk, rabbits, meat. fish, Jams
ana tea. Wherever the government has
nNed prices and controlled the supply
inc publc has benefited materially.
but when the supply remains uncon-
,,roiied after maximum price has
beeh fixed frequently the food has
disappeared from the market.
For instance, when maximum price
on rabbits was fixed below the market
rate they suddenly scurred away. So
dld the cheaper grades of fish. Jams
ana marmaladc have practically disap-
peared; Uncontrolled foods have
Jumped TO prohlbltivc prices. Chick
ems, ducks. turkeys ana pheasants are
nearly y double the figure they were six
months ago.
u!nquestionably, many dealers are
en'lty OF gross profiteering, but lack
or patrlotlsm is not nearly so general
as is believed by people embittered bv
long waits III queues. Hoarding also
was largely practised until recently.
"hcn inc government instituted prose
cutions resulting in drastic penalties
Now tew housewives dare overstock
thelr larders by bribing unscrupulous
dealers. ''"'- u .
In November the housewives's pur-
chases were limited chiefly by her