GERMAN FOOD SUPPLY ALL CORN TAKEN OVER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 57, 9 March 1915, Page 7

GERMAN FOOD SUPPLY ALL CORN TAKEN OVER

GOLD AND PAPER MONEY. (PROM OUR OWN CORftESPONDENI.) LONDON, 2nd February. Germany claims to have no lack of foodstuffs, but her action in taking over all the stocks of corn is suggestive that there is a much greater shortage of food thar was generally supposed. This is partly borne out by the Berliner Tageblatt, which observes :—: — "The measures decided Upon by the Government are the most thorough and comprehensive of any which have been taken since the beginning of the war They have no parallel. If one asks the question, 'Is such a far-reaching decision necessary?' the answer must be in the affirmative, because, whether our stocks were relatively large or small, a fatsighted care for the future would be necessary. The only thing to be regretted is that only half measures were

taken in the early days, and that in consequence much precious time and material have been wasted. The " measure really touches the population generally less than it does the dealers, who had hitherto acted in the belief that Germany is so overwhelmingly prepared that everyone, just as he pleased, could say shall and will. Perhaps the Government also had this view originally. "That the stocks are lower than in normal years is easily comprehensible, aijd can really surprise nobody. On the one hand, since Ist August we have been cut off from the supplies of foreign corn, formerly available to supplement our home supply. In addition, the lack of certain other foods has made necessary the use of more flour. Not only are we short of Russian barley and American maize, but also of innumerable other kinds of food which reached us in time of peace. The order issued in November forbidding the use of any kinds of bread or corn for animal fodder came far too late to save a great loss of rye, which might have been used for human consumption." The Vossische Zeitung says : "This measure gives us tho comforting knowledge that we are really as* sured as to our stocks until the next harvest. The announcement shows the Government's realisation that it can depend upon the economic organisation of all circles of our nation, and that it can rely upon their help. Germany's splendid organisation of all classes and all professions will bring to shame the plans trumpeted abroad by our foe. Germany, which cannot be conquered by' cannons and rifles, cannot be forced to her knees by hunger." German newspapers exhort people to be very careful in the use of matches, which now cost 4d per packet. A DUTCH VIEW. A Dutch banker of high standing also has important evidence on this subject. Writing to a London friend, he says :— " Within ten days we shall have had the war during six months, and I fear we shall only have the worst in spring. Germany is arranging all the reserves," do not think little of it! Germany is powerful, and is so well organised that it is able to use al^ its power at one moment, and when it is wanted. Six months Germany is fighting on both sides, to the east and to the weit, and it will be a difficult job to get the Germans out of Belgium and Poland. There is now not much food in Germany, but in case of need men can do with Very little food. They get thin, but do not starve so soon. I fear heavy fighting "in spring, but trust the Entente will stand against Germany." TIGHTNESS OF GOLD. It is felt, too, that Germany is nearing the end of her financial resources. Only last week Herr Kuhn, the German Minister of Finance, resigned his position, to be succeeded by a banker. Although the German gold reserves in the Reichsbank approach £116,000,000, the whole country has been" flooded " with paper money. The Reiclißbank is* able to issue three times 'as much papei* money as is represented by its gold reserves. It ha 3 just issued £256,000,000 in paper money against £116,000,000 gold reserves. There is still some gold in circulation, but the German people are holding it. The financial position of Germany 13 growing more desperate day by day. THE STRAIN OF WAR. American financiers are also of opinion that the war will end much sooner than is expected because of the financial exhaustion of Germany. The New York correspondent of the Daily Telegraph has interviewed several prominent American bankers, who» he cables, " practically are unanimous in declaring that the statements regarding Germany's financial resources, sedulously promulgated here by the Kaiser's envoys, are largely devoid of basis, and that any hopes entertained of raising a loan on this side of the Atlantic were from tho first doomed to disappoint* ment.''