East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-04-10
DR.. KERR SAYS
ALLIES MUST
HAVE WHEAT
Startling Facts Brought
From Washington Made
Known Here Yesterday.
OFFICIALS ANXIOUS
EXPECT LONG WAR
Morale of Allied Countries
Will Break if America
Fails.

s'Francc has reached the limit of
sacrifices and suffering behind the
lines. Unless America by similar sac
rifIces comes TO her immediate aid
when tho full American military force
gets to France IL may find the con-
ditions, upon which victory depends
completely altered"
Above Is the statement of Captain
Andre Tardieu, French high commits
sloner to Washington and made
known to Pendletonians yesterday
afternoon by DR.. w. j. Kerr, presl-
dent of O. A. c.. who is instructed by
the government to speak In northern
and western states. DR.. Kerr has
just returned from washington where
he was one of six men called from
over the country to consult with the
department of agriculture men and
odther government officials.
The message brought by DR.. Kerr
Is alarming and in many respects the
most important word thus FAR
brought by any speaker to this city.
'The official attitude at Washing
ton is one of deep anxiety" said DR..
Kerr. There is fun confidence in
final victory and the strongest deteE-
minatlon to fight on whatever the
cost may be but the general view is
that the war will last long. perhaps
five years, perhaps longer. The allies
have not yet won and victory Is not
even in sight as YETI
Volunteer Saving Fails.
According to DR.. Kerr volunteer
conservation Of foodstuffs in this
country has not met conditions. The
consumption of meat was heavier the
past year than in normal times. Had
our government not acted decisively
in sending needed supplies of wheat
and sugar to the allies when request
ed there would have been danger of
an allied breakdown in morale.
Much stress was laid by the speak
er on facts presented to our govern
ment by Captain Tardieu in behalf of
the French. The views Of Captain
Tartieu are further set forth in the
following:
"UnIcss the American people CO.
operate In sacrificing their comforts
and their pOflts. England and Italy
as well as France will face state of
depletion which will undermine the
morale of the whole people.
Strictly necessary. I'm order that an
immediate Improvement should bc
brought about.
''In this war IL Is not enough for
COmbatants to know how to fight. II
Is equally necessary for non-cOmbat-
ants to know how to suffer. Amcri-
cans who are now sharing our burden
OF blood and of death on the battle
dino, VIC are requesting you to share
as well i'm the rear, our burden of suf'
feTtng.r
Food Data.
Figures given by DR.. Kerr show that
in round numbers the United States
produced last year 600 million bush
els of wheat. This was not more than
the amount needed for our, normal
consumption. The pre-war produc-
tion of wheat by our Eurodpean al
lies was 591 million bushels and the
pre-war importations 3S1 million
bushels. The past year the allied
production was but 34S million BUSH
els thus calling for an importation o:
624 million bushels to bring the sup
ply up to normal. 1t was estimated
that 400 million bushels from Ameri-
ca would be imperative. However,
Canada shipped but 100 million BUSH
els and the United States but $4,000
bushels. OF this amount this country
is now exporting 40 million bushels
after an insistent call from the allies.
The peasants and workers of France
are existing on "A one-fourth ration.
according to the figures given. In
France the rice supply Is short CT per
cent. sugar 40 per cent, fats and oils
As per cent and dried vegetables So
per cent.