Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1917 — Adequate Food Preparedness Urged By Hon. W. L. Wood. [ARTICLE]

Adequate Food Preparedness Urged By Hon. W. L. Wood.

In this trying hour of our nation, it is ouJ opinaian that every thinking man and woman should give their best thought toward adequate preparedness. The welfare of the natiop depends upon the people of the nation, as the people rule. Within the next few days- the people of the United States are going to decide the great question of entering the Europan war, that gieat struggle that is now destroying the peace and happiness of Europe. We had hoped that the Dove of Peace had come to stay in the United States but it appears that we have not readied as yet the time in the world's history that there will be no more war. We believe, however, that the time will come that the great principle advocated by the great teacher of Galilee will predom-

inate, namely, Peace on Earth, Good Wil) to Men. That good day will appear when the people of the earth who believe in the right will stand for the right as a unit against wrong. It is within the wisdom and knowledge of our state department at Washington the policy that should be adopted by the American people at this time it remains with that department of the government to furnish the congress and senate of the U. S. official knowledge of conditions as they exist and when that is done I believe the people through their representatives should consider soberly and hold up the hands of tlie state department and the hand of the president iff this trying hour. If it is the vecdict the neople that we enter the war there are many questions that should be considered. Victory does not depend alcne on militarism; neither does it depend on the size and efficiency of our navy; nor does it depend on the size, efficiency and military training of our armies; nor does it depeijd upon the powerful guns and other munitions of war that we ore able to produce that will destroy the life and property of the enemy. All of which are absolutely necessary in time of war. Back of all these gerat factors must come old mother earth with her fullness

thereof. Adequate preparedness Jias been discussed to some extent by the American people from a .military point of viw but it is of my opinion the greatest factor to be considered by the American people at this time is an army to cultivate the soil that will produce he Necessities of life that must be produced if -this nation hopes to win in this great conflict that is seen in the horizon. Germany had a great ntilitarv power at the beginning of the European war but before the end of the first six months she found her food supply had been cut off to a great extent. The men w'ho had been food producers had gone to the trenches and munition factories. They were no longer producers but consumers. This lack of production gave speculators a chance to take of the consumer, and it is our opinion that the same condition will exist with any nation bhat is at war. What will be the condition of the United States after she enters the war with the present shortage of food and extremely high prices brought on by the war in Europe? Will it not mean higher prices and less pro- j duction:? The history of warring nations is greater consumption and less production. We believe that we should encourage our food production. The men in the trenches and in the navy cannot produce crops. We must retaina goodly.percent .ot -Oux .boys. QD.. the farm This great industry should be encouraged by the ministers in the pulpit, the lecturers from the platform, the teachers in the school room, in conversation with our neighbors, and on the street. Alt should encourage this vital industry. We would suggest economy in the home. Upon it depends the success of our homes, our state and our nation.