A DANGEROUS DELUSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 67, 19 March 1915, Page 3

A DANGEROUS DELUSION.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Certain journalists appear to think that a more powerful ally than France, Russia, and Belgium rolled into one will light on the side of Britain against her Teutonic enemy. They state, indeed, that starvation for Germany is a foregone conclusion. This, doubtless, is a pleasant illusion, but none the less it ft a very dangerous delusion. So far as foodstuffs are concerned Germany can afford to be completely blockaded by sea and still keep the bodies (souls they have not) of her population in good physical condition. An axiom of war is, or should be, never minimise the resources of your enemy unless you are absolutely in the know. I am certain Lord Kitchener does not even dream such nonsense as that Germany can be starved into submission. The population of Germany is 40 per cent larger than that of the British Isles, but her land under corn cultivation is 300 per cent greater in extent. The latest statistics available give Germany's acreage under wheat and rye at 35.000,000 acres; England has less than 8.000.000, New Zealand has 165,774 plus 5,042 under maize. Germany has under potatoes 8.250.000 acres. England 1,250,000. New Zealand 29.164. It is difficult to understand why a country should export a commodity of her own production and at the same time import a like commodity from another country. Yet this is what Germany has been doing. Excepting only the great graingrowing lands of America. Russia and the Argentine, Germany sent more wheat and flour to England than any other country in the world. Under normal cirumstances Germany, it is said, can produce twice as much bread as her people can tackle. The exports of oats, barley, rye, malt, peas, beans, and potatoes to England 191.1 amounted to over £2,000,000 sterling, all of which she will now obviously retain for her own consumption. In England one cow is available, as regards milk, to each IS inhabitants. Germany has one cow to

every five of hers. The humble "Nanny" as a milk producer is not to be despised. In Germany there are ten goats to one in Britain. Take eggs, that most satisfying product of Mother Hen. Last year Germany sent England 60,000,000. Should beef and mutton go short, the Teuton can fall back on horseflesh, as hundreds of these noble animals will daily be slaughtered" on the battlefield. Smithfield market, before the war depended largely for live stock on Holland. No supplies are now arriving, Germany having pre-emptioned the lot. The sustaining (wurst) sausage is made from pigs and other things. There are 20.-----000,000 hogs in Germany, G. 000.000 in the United Kingdom. 348.750 in New Zealand. During 1913 England imported from the Netherlands £9,000.000 sterling of farm and other edible products. Germany has earmarked this small lot. In a lack of war materials Germany, after another twelve months' fighting may feel the pressure of want, but it is rank folly to congratulate ourselves that the famine spectre will stalk her to n debacle.—l am, etc., H.-I.