The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-27
FOOD BLOCKADE
FUTILE TO HUNS
Can't Defeat Germany With
Economic Pressure Now,
Say Authorities.

London.---After exhaustive inquiries
many, carried OH by men who have de-
voted the last three years to gathering
evidence as to the powers Of resis-
lance of the Teutons. 1t can be stated
on the highest authority that the
economic pressure. although greater
now than ever before. cannot be relied
upon to bring the war TO 8; speedy ter
mination.
| Statements To the contrary have
been repeatedly made. Up to six
in many quarters that by cutting off
Germany's food supply her people
could be starved into submission. Alb
soutely authentic information based
upon comparison of statements pub
Iished by German papers found upon
German prisoners and upon statements
! from other trustworthy sources shows
that the nation cannot be starved.
! Its morale may be lowered, its popu-
lace harassed by plaques and diseases
of all kinds and by endless suffering
due to malnutrition. but they will car
ry on, existing miserably but still able
to fight.
Tremendous Blow Required.
In summing uD. the German situa-
ton. it may be A.id that although
Germany's economic plight is danger
GUS and her populace oppressed by
cruel food restrictions it will require
! "a tremendous military blow combined
with the utmost economic pressure tC
+, accomplish anything that might be de.
Escribed as victory.
Much comment has appeared or
/, Gefmany's action in supplying certain
foedstuffs TO neutpals. which is taker
r as evidence of a much better food stu
alton among the central powers thar
ii previous years. Tn. facts shvw thai
this is untrue, that Germany is able
to send food to neutrals only by re-
dGcing with true Teutonic methods al
rHtions allowed inhabitants of occu.
pied territories.
+ such supplies as are now reaching
Holland and Sweden really were taker
out of the mouths of Belgans. French
land Poles, while the Germans them.
selres continue TO suffer greater hard
ships. Just a few facts are sufficient
to picture conditions.
Most significant of the unendine re.
, ports is that of children walking mile,
daily To get scraps from the prison
camps British prisoners are SELLING
soap nj five francs a cake. The pota
Ia ration is four per less per person
per week than nj the same time las
Year. Hundreds OF newly drafted me,
are being sent into neutral counirie.
for feeding. just prior 10 being sen
into the lines.
Malnutrttion Causes Disease.
BESIDES such evidence, the mass O
f'r"&$ statements accumulated show
various diseases prevalent thruughou
the country are traceable directly t,
maIuutriion. OF these disease nigh
. blindness has recently become NOR
. Intensive. The same affliction has oc
Cured in years past among the popu
lac" of famine stricken countries an
takes the form Of complete blindnos
in tn" twilight hours.
! Cholera exists in MANY yiCinities. IN,
II is believed that Germany's remark
Hhle ability 10 prevent the spread ,
r"ntaeion viii eventually overcome /,
Herman periodicals discussing tn
l'lf""ts Of uatlnutrition candidly admi
that Whtl" suffering severely the grea
mass OF TIA" people win survive but III
weak 'st undoubtedly will die.