The sun., 1919-01-27

OF fats as an insurance against the SUBJ
marine menace. Freed from this
menace and with the shortage Of finance
experienced by all Governments.
together with the loss in tho storage OF
commodities by deterioration. there Is a
natural desire on their part to reduce
their stocks
other factors have entered into the
Atuation. For instance. the Inactive
armies and munition workers are con-
suming less fats. and the vegetable ~
freed for human consumption. Tnis
came upon US Immediately with the
armistice in early November. In the
midst OF our heaviest hog marketing
season, which lasts from October until
March.
when left home for Europe In No
vember this problem was already facing
me as one among many others for which
assistance had to be found. in the pro-
to'tIcn OF cur American farmers, lest
from failure to find n market for his
product during the armistice and pend
ing the wider markets OF peace his prices
might fall below his cost Of produce
ton. entailing great waste Of surplus
commodities.
we have found II possible to pro-
tect tho American farmer in tire two and
one-half months since the armistlce.
This we have done by cooperating with
the Allies. in opening wider markets to
neutral countries and by relief ship
ments into the liberated territories. inc
next and last six weeks OF the high fat
production season will be still more diff
ficult to manage. as peace cannot be ex-
pected in that time, restoring extended
markets.
Auother ShOrfane Coming.
ION the other hand. flve-sixths Of this
problem IL already completed. and ny
next May. if we have peace and freedom,
any surplus that sccumulates Will DO
turned into another world shortage OF
fats. Indeed. II the entire consuming
populations of the world were able to OBJ
tain fats to-day there would be a short
axe at this moment. even with our great
surplus production.
Numerous solutions have been pro-
posed. Il has been considered that the
allied Governments should continue 10
purchase the surplus production or pork
products despite the accumulated stocks
and lack of immediate need, and thus
protect the American farmer against the
surplus provided especially for them. 1t
has been contended that they are unoer
moral obligations to execute the lore-
casts OF their requirements given rom
time to time through their various
agencies.
Tho Allies can. however. contend that
they also have great problems OF excess
production In commodities such as MUM
tons. which they have likewise produced
under war pressure. They can contend
that we have Jointly fought and won the
war: that this Is sudden and catches US
ell with q vast production, which must
be faced and liquidated by each OF US
without undue pressure. one against the
other; that they. ike ourselves are en-
tering a period OF large employing mt dur
ing the readjustment and that their peo-
pie, like ours, need lower food prices,
Peace Real solution.
The real solution lies in the hope OF
early peace and. in the meantime. the
steady rehabilitation for all restrictions
on free marketing OF surplus foods, ex-
cept In enemy territory. thus reestablish-
ing the law OF supply and demand.
Practically all restrictions on Amer
lean food exports have been removed.
Progress has been made in lifting neu-
trail blockade restrictions and further
relaxations of blockade measures are
under earnest consideration. The read
is hoped for. In order that merchants
may enter upon trade freely on both
sides. and thus secure normal basis OF
price determining. without any dominat-
ing influences.
1T Is, however, no more possible TO
denoblize in n week the whole OF these
intricate forces set up during the war
than It is to demobilize our army by
Diminishing II on the field. And, pending
these solutions, our American farmers,
merchants. packers and banks simply
must stand together for two or three
months to carry our excess surplus over
until the markets OF the world have
been moro extended and finally liberated
by peace. The meeting of farmers and
packers representatives called at Chi
cago on Tuesday has 70 consider these
problems"