The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-20
NOW THAT THE FARMERS
ARE OUT OF THE TRENCHES
GET THEM INTO THE BURROWS

The food problem is one that was not solved with the win
ming Of the war.
On the contrary it has become more complex, since we are
now called upon to feed the nations that a few weeks ago we
were endeavorng to starye into submission.
From the outset OF the war the burden has rested upon
the producer OF food. He has been called upon for a greatly
increased production with a greatly reduced capacity for produc-
ton.
The farmer was called into the war along with other men
with trades and professions. He was asked to assume the
responsibility of the soldier without diminishing his RESPONSE
bilty for feeding the world. He was taken away from the
farm, but the farm was called upon to double its yield,
The farmer was taken into the army, into the %shipyards and
the munitions plants. He was indicted into every branch Of the
service that would contribute to winning the war. The nation
was told that it must fight and farm, bat the farmers were
taken away to fight,
During the war the farmers of the nation we're obliged, With
their reduced facilities, to feed the workmen, the carpenters, the
shipbuilders, the munitions workers, the soldiers and sailors, not
only Of this country, but Of the allied nations, with the civil
populations of other nations added, as they, for the most part,
were engaged in war activity.
This country was taxed to its capacity to do this. 1t was
possible only because of a voluntary rationing system that our
people imposed upon themselves, with the idea that those who
light should be the first to be fed.
With the collapse Of Germany and Austria we find those
countries mere shells of their former selves. They are without
food. They are in dire straits. They are at our mercy, and we
are at a serious disadvantage. While they fought we saw to it
that food did not reach them from this or neutral countries,
Now they have surrendered and have THROWN themselves upon
our mercy. Perhaps it is not to the liking Of all Of us, but
those who are wiser say they must be fed and that we must.
feed them.
We shall not be less magnanimous in peace than we ,,.rs
IN war, The victor can afford to be generous. The war was
won without our numbering women, children and innocent peo-
pies surely we shall not, in time Of peace, permit the women
and children OF enemy nations to starve, since not one was
injured or wronged by us in time of war.
Inc TODD problem will not be solved this year. There are
critical months yet to come, The food cannot be dug from
the earth at any time, as the ore, nor cut down as the tree in
the forest. 1t is a long and tedious program, The ground must
be prepared, the seed sown, the crop cultivated, gathered and
transformed into food for consumption. The earth must pass
able.
If we are to measure up to our new responsibility for feed.
my te peoples OF the enemy nations, as well as those ~ or ourr
and ct our allies, we must begin to prepare now.
mere IS no tune to lose The farmer must begin his work
not later than The first OF February. Only a little more than
two months time is available to get a start for next years crop.
IN the cantonments and in France are something in the
neighborhood OF 100000 men. Many of them are farmers
Many of them left good farms, and they not only would like 70
return, but they are badly needed.
In the discharge of men from the army the government
should give first consideration to the farmers. The mastering
out process is gong to be tedious. 1t may be long. If the
farmers in the army are mustered out in April, May or June
they will not be able to make a crop next year.
1t is highly important that the government, which s nl,r
niin,g on such a broad scale to help feed the world. should BRO
vide also the means of fulfilling its program, f
Every farmer who can be spared from the army. VERY WAN
IN the army who will pledge himself to go to the farm, should
nave frst consideration, and should be the first to be mustered
out.
This is a matter that cannot be postponed. It is as urgent
asst IS vital The Germans are appealing to President Wilson
Tor food. The women of Germany, who spat in the faces of
prisoners and refused them even a drink Of water. are hunory
now They have appealed to Mrs. Wilson. We are told that
Mr.. Hoover may go TO Germany, as he went to Belgium to help
that country bear its cross, to study the needs and the food
problems peculiar to that country.
This nation can feed its own soldiers, It has ted tbo,, ,od
the soldiers OF the allied nations, 1t is big enough and Strong
enough TO beat the Germans and feed them, too. -
But II we are to do these things we must have soId;nrs :,
the burrows next spring, as we had soldiers in the trenches last
spring. """' "t
Let the slogan be, Get the soldiers ont ~ tho ,rsnoh.s ,1
get the farmers into the burrows" ~
1t is a problem OF peace, less thrilling, less spectacular, than
the problems of war, but it is Just as imperative and deIav will
be attended by consequences Just as fatal "
AS we look about us in the fields of West Tsrross.
Northern MISSISSIPPI and Eastern Arkansas, will their denleted
neIp, uhpcked cotton and accommodating evidence of absentee
farm IS not untrmely, and the situation that confronts ne is rot
peculiar, but a general condition affecting eyerv Dart n ths
country alike. ' P' u TIC
Let's have the farmers home first
Chairman Hurley is planning a mighty fleet that will fv
the American fau He &c oe+,i,o lN r F' VIVA ny