El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-28

Z judging from the experience OF the
past three years the results actually
achieved in this direction viii fall far
short OF the exaggerated anticipations
now so freely encouraged
Discrepancy in Statements.
A significant fact is the marked
discrepancy in the figures OF Ruma-
MAN food exports publicly quoted by
German statesmen. At one time Herr
Won Braun admitted that the export
Of grain from RumanIa during the
present harvest year has failed 20
reach the expected minimum of 1.0OO,-
900 tons, and that, even If the central
powers receive, as they hope TO. an
other $4,000 tons OF maize. the total
amount exported viii be under 9OO,-
600 tons
Only a few days later Herr Won
kuhlmann declared publicly that Ru-
mania has already exported over
100000 tons OF grain during the cur
rent year. and that. taking into &C
count the rich resources Of the coun-
try. and remembering that in future
BessaraEia will be included with Ru-
mania under one administration, f.
was permissible 10 look forward TO
the whole question OF the supply OF
FOOD for the central powers with g
considerable amount OF confidence.
The latest news received here points
to partial failure Of the harvest
both in Rumania and Bessara bia.
Quite apart from adverse conditions
arising from revolution and war
drOugh has undoubtedly caused con-
siderable injury to the crops. The
Bessarabian minister IN the Ruma-
Man government is reported TO have
stated that in consequence OF the long
drouth the harvest in Bessarabia was
extremely bad, while in the German
relchstag a statement has lately been
made that Rumania is faced with
complete crop failure, owing 20 the
war and the weather
Under these circumstances II is not
surprising 10 find that the German
government does not consider the
moment propitious for relaxing in the
snghtest degree the system Of food
control which alone has enabled the
country TO hold out There has Of
late been regular campaign among
the agrarian classes and traders for a
greater measure OF freedom in the
Of food products. but the
government has hitherto rejected the
various proposals for even a partial
return TO normal trade conditions.
a neutral officer Of high rank. re-
Gently returned from Berlin. said
that IN high quarters in Germany the
question Of clothes and boots was re-
sarded as factor that might force
peace before winter. diplomatist
recently in Berlin declares that one
OF his colleagues. a rich man, has
only one pair Of shoes. while the wife
OF one Of the other ministers there
has tried in vain 10 get shoes for her |
children.
The sale OF clothing and leather IS /
more strictly confrofaa 4he- 49, Q
and even the wealthiest classes can
buy them only at second hand and at I
ruinous prices
one word Of caution must be added ]
IN winding up this account Of German I
The spirit Of the nation as I
2 whole Is not ready for submission. !
Is still hopeful OF ultimate success:
this IS the considered opinion OF those
officials under whose hands pass all |
1ata secured from enemy countries. /
That this is true is surprising. but IL I
s true That discomfort exists among 4
he masses Is undeniable. but IL is
dormant; there are no signs OF aavl
serious outbreaks. This may be due
partly to fear. for the least outward /
sign Of discomfort Is ruthlessly sup
pressed.
But the ferment OF revolution Is
Mt work, even II In m early staEet
military failures and terror OF
Amortization the truth about our
war maehine Is beginning to leak
hrouEh-acceIerate the process.
The early spirit of self sacrifice
IN the interests Of the state no
longer exists; mutinous spirit fire.
quently shows itself in the army
and navy. The black ravens are
acknowledgement. 1915. Nc