Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1918 — Germany And The Food Question [ARTICLE]

Germany And The Food Question

A loyal United States citizen of German birth, who has bought liberally of Liberty bonds and thrift certificates, recently made an illuminating statement concerning stories that haVe been appearing from time to time on the food shortage in Germany and the effects of the blockade. , _ ,__.2 , “It is folly to place too much confidence in Germany's food shortage,” said he, “as a factor in bringing peace. I was a laborer in Frankfort for twelve years before coming to the United States, and my father before me also was a laborer there The pay he received and the pay I received was not generous enough, even in the most prosperous times, to provide us with half the dainties With which the American workman’s table is provided. “The German workman is accustomed to short rations. Here in America we read that a German family is limited to so many pounds of potatoes a week and so many ounces of butter and bread and sugar, and we say ‘that means the war can’t last long; nobody can live on that. On the contrary, Germans can live on these rations and have been living on them for years. “Unless I am much mistaken, Germany will be able to stagger along, for the simple reason that Germans never were heavy eaters, except those of the well-to-do class. The German workman never was well fed when I lived in Germany. “The blockade may have its effect, but the only real way to defeat Germany is by force of arms. That is why I have contributed my share of money to help win the war for the United States. I know what * German fare means. I came to this country to escape slow starvation, low wages and proverty. I have been better fed and better clothed by far since coming here, and I have been able to save money and keep square with my fellow man. I wouldn’t go back to Germany and I don’t want Germany over here. If my savings can help defeat the German plan of life, I shall feel that I am doing a bit in the interest of righteousness and square dealing. I intend to let the Government have every cent of money I can spare, for democracy has done a million times more for me since I have been here than the German plan did for all the generations of my laboring family.”