Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-05
EAT MORE CHEEsE.-By Frederic J. Haskin.

yrvASHINGTON, D. c.. April 1.-The govern
w ment has just started drive to induce peo-
v pie to eat more cheese. Experts from the
Dairy Division of the bureau of Animal Industry
travelling about the country, spreading the
cheese propaganda through every city, village and
farm, while at the headquarters OF the Bureau
here there is ID large pile of leaflets and posters
that are to challenge the patriotism OF every
meat-eating American.
In spite of all that has been said about the
infamy of much intoxicating during the war; in
spite of the long list of meatless days supposed
to have been celebrated by the nation, and In
spite of the enthusiastic support of the PROSECUTING
vegetarian, the fact remains that the American
demand for meat has not materially fallen off
Whether this is due to the prevailing high wages
that permitting many people to buy meat who
never bought it before. or whether the meatless
day is considered merely theoretical by most of
the public, are questions that are still IN the pro-
cess OF argument. But in the meantime some
thing must be done More must be released
to our allies if we are to do our part in the war
Thus the Department of Agriculture recon-
mends the American cheese-bOth cottage and
factory-to earnest consideration. This year
there was a six million pound surplus OF cheese
in this country that, try they would, the cheese
dealers could not get rid of, until the Food Ad-
ministration came forward and offered to buy 1t
at "a cents pound to send to the allies. Now
it is not important that soldiers have cheese as
that they have meat. 1t is the malnstay Oh the
predatory carnivora, whether in the wilds or on
a modern battlefield, Bernard Shaw to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
Mr.. Shaw has recently come forward with the
novel theory that abstention from eating meat pro-
duces a much greater ferocity than is aroused
by meat-eating, and bases his contention-not only
the example of himself-but the fact that
all the great conquerors of antiquity did their
conquering with vegetarian soldiers.
Then, Mr. Shaw proceeds to argue that the
vegetarian diet is much heavier than that of meat.
Men, to win bets, have been known to eat three
legs of mutton, a turkey, six pounds of sausages
and 90 oysters at sitting, with beer ad lib
says Mr.. Shaw. But the man who will dispose
of fifty dates and a Dutch cheese has yet to be
discovered
Military authorities, however, do not share Mr..
Shaws views in this regard. Every belligerent is
working hard to insure its men at the front an
adequate meat supply Most countries now
a meat ration. This has not yet been consider
ed necessary in America, but if we go on eating
meat at present speed. the rationing OF meat
will be unavoidable. If don't learn to like
cheese and other meat substitutes by next year,
we may be compelled to.
There is another reason why should eat
more cheese and dairy products, too. During the
past two years of the production of dairy
products has greatly increased in this country,
stimulated by the heavy demand from Europe. The
following figures Illuminating: In 1915, this
country exported "a million dollars worth BY the
end of the following year our exports had risen
to 40 million dollars, while imports had
dwindled to million dollars worth.
The principal factor in this increase was can
ned milk, but cheese also played important
part Before the this country annually import
ed large quantities of fancy cheese from Italy,
our cheese imports amounted to about So, 100000
pounds, while exported only about 100000
pounds In 1916 only IA 900 900 pounds of cheese
imported while our exports rose to $4,000
900 pounds.
From this it may be that tremendous