The Washington herald., 1918-05-27
Capt. Schreiner, a Boer by
Birth, Brings a Startling
Story Out Of the Central
Empires.
From "The Iron Ration"

From The Iron Ration.
Copyright 1918, by Harper g. Bros.
The lack Of sufficient good milk
caused an increase In infant mortality.
The feeble OF al! ages were carried OF
quickly when concentrated foods
could no longer be had to keep them
alive. and persons of middle age and
old age suffered so much that death
was in many cases n welcome relief.
While the healthy adult men and wo-
men did not suffer by this sort of
stronger in fact
those past the prime OF life could not
readjust themselves to the iron food
discipline that was enforced. The all
mentary system in that case had en-
tered upon its downward curve OF
assimilation over elimination, and,
constitutionally modified by the ease
afforded by concentrated foods, 1t de-
clined rapidly when these foods were
withdrawn. Driven by necessity. the
various States practised wholesale
manslaughter of the less Mt.
was greatly interested in the
home" casualties. and discussed them
with many. among them life-insurance
SNNSoSOiSB anu bONCl Ohi-
Gals. The FIRST class took a strictly
business view Of the thing. The life
insurance companies were heavy
loosers. But there was no way out.
Nothing at all could be done. 1t was
hoped that the better physical trim of
the young adults, and the resulting
longevity, would reimburse the life
insurers. II the war did not last too
IA. ia
miums would have to be increased,
the government to apply further food
restrictions.
Some OF the educators took a sentl-
mental view Of the thing. Others were
cynically rational. 1t all depended
upon their viewpoint and age. Those
who believed in the theories Of one
Osler could see nothing wrong in this
method of killing OF the unit aged.
Their opposites thought it shameful
that better provisions were not made
for them.
The attitude of the government was
more interesting. 1t took cognizance
of the individual and social aspects in
volved-of sentiment and reality. That
manslaughter OF the aged and unfit
was the result Of the food policy was
not denied. But could the state be ex-
pected to invite dissolution because OF
that?
II understand you perfectly" said
a certain food dictator to me once.
MY own parents are in that position.
or would be, were 1t not that they have
the means to buy the more expensive
foods. That thousands Of the poor aged
are going to a premature death is only
too evident. But what are we to do?
We cannot for their sake lay down
arms and permit our enemies to i'm
pose upon US whatever condition they
please. Quite apart from the interests
of the state as a political unit. there
Is here to be considered the welfare
of the fit individuals. Being Mt, they
have the greatest claim to the benefits
that come from social and economic
which political indepen-
dence alone can give. That the less
ft must make sacrifices for that is to
be expected, for the very good reason
that it is the At class which is carry
ing on the war and shedding its blood
for the maintenance of the state. BY
the time we have provided for the in
fants and babies there is nothing left
for the aged over and above what the
adult individual gets. or the babies
we must take care because they are
the carriers Of our future. OF the
aged We should take care because they
have given US our past. But when II
comes to choose which class to pre-
serve. I would say the young every
time" ="
Food-lines were as a rule attended
by policemen, whose duty It was TO
maintain order and keep Off the hu-
man hyenas who were. In the habit Of
lettering about these lines for the
purpose Of picking out women. That
was well enough. But the policeman
could not see, these women home, nor
prevent the man from surveying the
crowd, make his selection, and later
force his attention upon the woman.
With the need for food and clothing
always pressing, the ground was gem
orally well prepared In times when
ths PUBLIC wss inclined to BE- lspisnt