The Washington times., 1919-12-25
GRAIN SHORTAGE
ACUTE IN WORLD
Statistics Show European De-
ficiency 100000 Bushels.
Russia Only Hope.

LONDON, Dec a5.-Out OF all the
grain producing countries In the
world, only eight have any surplus
that might be directed to the relief OF
Europe's critical food shortage. And
II the entire surplus were available
for Europes needs, only two-hfths OF
Europe's needs would be met.
These are conclusions drawn from
statistics gathered By Sir George
Paish, EngIand's foremost economist,
showing the food situation OF the
world Europe has a deficiency OF
3,O6S. 600 900 bushels of grain to-day.
counting sixty pounds to the bushel
The worlds surplus amounts 10 nut
I.344. .0OO, 900 bushels available solely
from the United states, Canada. Ar
zenttna, Chilli. Australia, New Zea-
land. India and Uruguay. Ihat leaSss
a shortage still OF 1.T23.OOO.O 600
bushels.
All Need Grain.
OF all the European countries only
Rumania. Hungary. and Bulgaria can
feed themselves in grains and stui
possibly have some small portion leti
before the next harvest for export,
Sir George finds.
Germany and Austria need 1,151.-
oo0. 900 bushels more than they pro
duce in the 1919 harvest Great
Britain, France. Italy and Belgium
are short 10000, 900 bushels, which is
an amount larger than these four
allied countries produced this year;
while the neutrals-Denmark, Hell
Land, Spain. Sweden and Norway
have a deficiency of $4,000 200
bushels Serbia can feed herself
All the above estimated deficiencies
have allowed for lessened per capita
consumption due to greater economy.
Sir George Paish's figures show
why all Europe is concerned in Rus
sia getting back TO normal produc-
ton basis. Russia produced 2,9I1,-
600 900 bushels OF grain during rhe
ave years average before the war,
having $4,000 900 bushels for ex-
port Now she has an estimated de-
ficit OF $4,000 bushels, the 1919
crops amounting to but 1.7s3,000.O0o
bushels, owing to the Russian civil
war.
Central Powers Need.
III 1t be remembered" says Sir
George. "that even in pre-war days
the greater part of Europe had no
more food than was required-indeed.
less than was required as regards
many millions of people-to maintain
efficiency, the seriousness of the
shortage will be evident Tho de-
6ciency extends to practically all the
nations OF Europe. 1t will, OF course.
be impossible for the full needs Of
these nations to be satisfied.
Statements have been made that
prior to the war the German people
ate a great deal more than necessary
to maintain health 1t should. how
ever. be recognized that a very large
part of the German people was on the
poverty line. and that whenever crops
man death rate increased. 1t Is es-
that. In any distribution OF world
food supplies. the needs of the CEN
trail powers should not be under-
estimated, for, after ave years of war
and three years of food shortage, the
peoples Of these countries will be un-
able to Withstand the effects Of fur
ther underfeeding.
II believe that the entente nations
and the United States, having fought
the war in the cause of civilization,
cannot refuse to share with their for
mer enemies the attenuated supplies
Of food that will be available in the
coming year.
And In order to effect the equi-
table distribution of food that Is
available all the entente nations, the
United States, the central powers ana
the neutrals must devise some plan
for providing every nation with the
credit II will need to purchase the
food and raw materials allotted to it."