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THE CUBA REVIEW 



But when German aircraft and cannon bombarded and destroyed the French sugar mills, 

 the acts as least had the justification of military strategy in that they were designed to deprive 

 the enemy of one of the sinews of war; for sugar is recognized as a food essential to soldiers — 

 high in caloric value and rich in fuel energy. 



^ The effect is seen in these pictures in connection with which the United States Food 

 Administration announces that sugar production in France has fallen to less than 25% of the 

 pre-war output. 



When the German troops retreated from occupied portions of France they took pains to 

 destroy virtually all of the sugar mills that would otherwise have assisted the French in main- 

 taining their sugar stocks. That first wave of Teuton invasion was stopped in France after the 

 Germans had established a battle line that cut off 203 of the 213 French sugar mills, as well as 

 much land that had produced sugar beets. In some of the German retreats the mills were left 

 in such shape as to permit their operation. The official sugar production figures indicate the 

 extent of the destruction and emphasize the French sagar needs which must be filled by Ameri- 

 can aid. Thejyear of 1912-13, 213 French mills turned out 667,440 short tons of sugar. 

 For 1916-17, 65 mills produced only 204,405 short tons. To further complicate the French 

 sugar situation the yield per acre of sugar beets decreased from 13.30 short tons per acre in 

 1912-13_^^to 11.70 short tons per acre in 1816-17. Supplying France from American stocks 

 saved the situation.- — The American Sugar Bulletin. 



Bananas Growing at La Gloria. 



