The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-03-05
VICTORY EAcToRs

VICTORY FAC TORS
Food shortages will not contrib
ute to tae collapse O, Germany this
Year. at least, il estimates Of for-
eisn food experts Of the Agriculture
Department are accurate. They say
the German people will get as much
food this year as they received last
Year or in 1891
However, food supplies 90 the
lands occupied by IIiucrs leE.OaS
will continue TO drop and IN some
countries the available food will be
decidedly inadequate.
In general food supplies 10 con-
tinental Europe. excluding Russia,
will drop Two 10 three PEI cent be-
low supplies 10 l94l-42 and about
Is per cent below the pre-wa aver
age. but per capita consumption in
Germany and countries under its
direct Administrative coutrO. MI
show little change from the r.gid!y
restricted levels o! BALE.
Germany worked FOR many wears
before the war TO meet the block
hde. There are fairly substantial
food reserves and carry-oyers Fur
ther. the people have shifted EN-
Ihasis IN their diet from meat to
easily grown vegetables. upon
which they can live and continue
10 work. Farmers are eating com
paraliyely well Production Of pOta-
toes was especially pushed IN 1912
and the crop "a reported larger
than IN any recent yea and con
siderably above the 1935-57 average.
Averages, however. don't mean
as much in Europe al in the United
States. Although food conditions in
Germany are reported close TO pre-
war standards, tee pTe-War stand
ards themselves were not high. In
Germany the pre-war diet was re-
stricted. There was no rationing.
but the Nazis kept food consump-
ZION down 10 a minimum to cOncen-
tTzte on arminz the nation.
In Italy. the rural popula ton is
relatively wellfed. but the urban
food situation is expected TO con-
tinue difficult through l943 because
Of distribution difficulties
In 1912, grain production came
within SO per cent OF the pre-war
average. though wheat and rye
yields fell considerably. sugar beet
production. in pat diverted TO war
needs. was below last years but
stlll well above the prs-war aver
age; the fruit crop was very low;
The vegetable crop appears 10 have
been generally larger than a year
ago because OF acreage expansion
ard favorable growing conditions,
meat, milk and egg production has
declined steadily.
The invasion OF North Africa
cut of from Germany one OF its
few sources OF badly.needed scarce
vegetable OIL
The outlook in Belgium and NSr-
way appears gloomy. Ia the Neither
lands the supplies OF food available
for normal consumers viii continue
inadequate. The standard OF food
consumption in Denmark IL expect.
ed 10 deteriorate. The situation in
Spain IL bad. Greece remains the
worst problem area Food condi-
tons 10 France are certain 10 de
teriorste further this yesr II the
cessation Of imports from Africa is
not offset by a relaxation o. Gec-
man demands and II distribution is
not improved. In free Russia there
is considerable food stringency
among the civilian population. In
occupied Russia the food situation
IL worst in cities.
Our distribution administration
purchased t1750O0.OgO worth OF
food and uon-fooistu'fs for lend
lease. the Red Cross. I. :. island
possessions and domestic food re-
lief in one mOnth-Jsnusry. Much
of this went 10 Russia. For example
IN January. flour purchases for th=
Red army totalled l,lG3 900 barrels
twice as much as the annual flour
exports OF Europe IN any peace
time year. In addition. $4,000. 900
pounds OF "tushonka". spiced pork
product. was purchased for the
Red army. Meat purchases, howey.
or. dropped to S60.760, 900 80 pc
cent decrease from November.
while purchases Of grain. dried eggs
and cotton rose above those OF re.
cent months
While such figures as these ale
far too limited 10 permit accurate
conclusions. they do indicate that
food shortage Will not be a leading
factor IN specuiations as 10 the
trend Of the war during the coming
year.
A much more important factor. 50
far as the Axis nations are con-
eerned. is oil Synthetic gasoline is
q constant source OF trouble. An.
other handicap is resulting from the
terrific bombing OF German Indus.
trial centers and railroads. Little is
said OF the trains being wrecked
the locomotives being put out OF
commission and supplies being sac.
rificed to the air raiders OF the
Allied nations.
We. OF course. sTe SUITE ng heavy
shipping losses while our airmeu
spread grief for the enemy. which
leaves the main question a matter
OF balance. And here is the bright
spot in the general situation. Our
strength Is rapidly increasing while
var-torn Germany is weakening
We are winning. The coming sum
mer will bring more information a.
TO when We may look FOR the end
As We speed up production ~
shall shorten the duration. The
steven million men planned for OUT
military forces must have all posi-
Bile support from the folks at home
else their sacrifices will count for
hothlng 81 all.