CAN BRITAIN BE STARVED?

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 43, 4 June 1917, Page 3

CAN BRITAIN BE STARVED?

SOCIALIST PAPER'S WARNING. Heir Reisser, president of theHansa League, in a speech at a recent meeting said that the aim of the German submarine campaign was not to force Great Britain to her knees but to produce in England the desire for an understanding. The Socialist organ, 'Vorwaerts,' considered that Count Revcntlow'saims could bo attained only by a tremendous prolongation of the war. This statement was again denied by Count Reventlow, who demanded proofs from 'Vorwaerts' in support of its theory. This has led to the publication of a long explanation in 'Vorwaerts,' which says: "Assuming that Great Britain's supplies Avill last only four months, sho cannot, in theory, be forced to her knees in less than four months if no foodstuffs are imported. But if instead of holding out for four months she can hold out for five or six months, she can' live on her coming harvest for at least three months more." Commenting tben on the official figures published in England of the incoming and outgoing vessels, 'Vorwaerts' points out that of 1250 vessels which maintained communication between the United Kingdom and other countries during the first 18 days of February, only 200 were sunk, and England, cannot be suddenly starved out so long as even five or six grain vessels manage to reach England. 'Vorwaerts' also reminds Count Ileveutlow that the organisation of supplies and the introduction of rationing in Great Britain will delay the realisation of Count Ileventlow's dream by further weeks and mouths. The paper concludes: "If we threaten Great Britain with destruction we naturally incite her people to greater thrift. No man, not even Count Reventlow, can say when the day will come when Great Britain has no longer anything left to eat, and oven when it does come, that day. will itself be separated by a great gulf 'from the day when the British nation will be inclined to come to a, just understanding." '