The Washington herald., 1920-05-09
Especial Cable to The Herald,


Berlin. May s.A-Any discussion OF
the food situation of Germany
must bear In mind that several
viewpoints are possible. In discus
sions within Germany governmental
interests occupy different view
points. One could attempt a sur
Vey OF the possibilities of main
tanning the present ration of food
stuffs from the Industrial point of
view. This Is not sufficient, since
increased production only can be
obtained through enlargement OF
the ration, whether accomplished
through the system OF food wage
or in any other. way.
Nutritional experts insist that the
ration must be substantially in
creased IL tuberculosis is to be
checked and the powers of resist
ance of the population restored.
Want Increased Ration.
The conservative opinion of the
country runs to the effect that the
ration must be increased IL social
unrest is to be alleviated. Lastly,
the financial viewpoint runs to the
effect that purchases of foodstuffs
should be held TO the lowest posi-
BILE level. in order that importation
of raw materials may be secured in
the largest volume compatible with
successful operation under the pres
ent conditions of scarcity of food
The crop of the present Germany
yielded a scant 100000 tons OF
bread grains. From this sum must
be subtracted 100000 tons for seed
~ \ lu n Al HaN
into one-third agrarian and two
thirds city population.
In exact figures, the Germans
count 1900. 900 of the present pop
ulation of about 60,000.000 as agri-
cultural producers: and these are
allotted a somewhat higher ration
than is accorded to the city dweller.
The present ration amounts to 230-
$50 grams of -four, issued in all
forms. per person per day. or S4-9l
kilos per year: or in round figures
5.5-6 million tons for the entire
population. IL the allotment was
equitable.
Allotment Held Back.
AS a matter of fact, some $4,000
900 enjoy this ration, amounting,
therefore, to not over 100000 tons.
In some cities and at some times
this ration has not been fully issued.
On the other hand, -four passes into
Illicit traffic and there are also ad-
ditional rations for heavy workers.
1t Is rather difficult to estimate
the amount involved in these in
creased rations for heavy workers.
though they are stated to be in the
neighborhood of 100000 tons. AS
against this. a lower ration has been
frequently issued. In some of the
cities the present ration. is 220
grams of bread per day. which cor
responds to about $50 grams of
-four: and the issue OF -four for such
as use in the kitchen, does not bring
this up to 230 grams. In the cOnfu-
the several states, il is impossible
to make the figures check.
The 100000 agricultural pro-
ducers apparently are allotted about
125 kilos per person per year, al
though 1t is larger in some sections.
This would amount to approximate te-
ly 100000 tons. The sum of these
four figures. namely. ration require
ments of urban population, suppos-
ed issue for heavy workers, seed
and allotment for agricultural pro.
ducers. would amount to about
S.7O0.000 tons. or probably not over
S.500.00O tons. which would come
within the stated crop figure of a
scant 100000.
Secure Grain From Posen.
This use and division of the crop
implies an excellence in requisition
handling and distribution that has
never yet been attained in Germany
since the first year of the war.
One invisible source of supply re-
mains to be mentioned, grain from
Posen. A considerable but indie
terminate amount of bread grain
has gone from Posen into Germany
instead of into Congress Poland.
This results in the figure for Po-
lands crop being too high and the