conclusion that strikes one is that Germany had ready a corps of trained experts able to 

 handle this question. These men had available a mass of statistical material dealing 

 most thoroughly with the resources and products of the Empire and with their distribu- 

 tion. They were able to start work at once — in fact, so promptly were their conclusions 

 arrived at that one suspects they were more or less ready at the time of the outbreak 

 of the war. 



The question that they put to themselves was — "If Germany were cut off so that 

 she could neither import food nor export, what lines of production should be followed, 

 and what restrictions should be put upon the consumption of food?" Their general 

 conclusion was that with certain changes in their lines of production, certain modi- 

 fications in the handling of their food, possible extensions in the use of vacant land, and 

 the strictest economy in consumption, the German people could feed themselves. 

 From time to time they advised the Government, and on their advice public enactments 

 were made. In December of 1914 their complete report was pubished. An English 

 translation of this report was issued in June, 1915, by the University of London 

 Press — "Germany's Food — Can it Last?" edited by Dr. S. Russell Wells, with an intro- 

 duction by Dr. A. D. Waller. The report is one of intense interest, and is very sug- 

 gestive for the people of Canada. 



The Commission started out with this recognition of the importance of their 

 investigation. "The problem is not only of theoretical interest, but of the very greatest 

 practical importance, for it concerns nothing less than the outcome of the war. The 

 efficiency of our army, our transport service and our finances has been brilliantly proved. 

 If we wish to win, the organization of food supplies must not be lacking." 



First, as to producers — No food must be fed to live stock that can be used as human 

 food. As a consequnce the number of swine must be reduced by nine million and the 

 number of milch cows by one million. Potatoes were to be grown as extensively as 

 possible, replacing some of the acreage of sugar beets. The reduction in the number of 

 milch cows would produce less milk, but this milk was to be consumed as far as possible 

 either as whole milk or as cheese. Butter was to be eliminated as much as possible 

 from the national diet, being considered a luxury. This, of course, has hit the German 

 housewife very severely, and will explain to some extent the so-called "fat riots." 

 The extension of the potato acreage was to provide a cheap flour which could be used 

 to supplement wheat, but particularly rye flour. 



Beet sugar has been one of the products on which the whole agricultural industry 

 of Germany was based. How was the question of their large surplus to be handled? 

 First of all, encouragement was to be given to the increased home consumption of 

 sugar; secondly, the acreage of sugar beets was to be reduced; and, third, the sugar 

 factories were to change their plans whereby a larger portion of the sugar would be 

 retained in the by-product, thus decreasing the output of sugar and increasing the sugar 

 in the by-product for stock food. 



In this manner the Commission went over the entire range of food products. No 

 wheat was to be used for making starch and the people were to be instructed not to 

 starch their clothes, thereby economizing and also improving sanitary conditions; 

 health and economy were to be considered of more importance than fashion. 



"One thing is, of course, needful if the requisite measures are to succeed, that each 

 shall sink his personal interests unreservedly in the common weal to-day. It does not 

 matter whether a farmer or a manufacturer prospers, or whether a company pays 

 dividends, but we have all got to live. It is not a question of money at all but of bread, 

 meat and potatoes." 



Having fully considered the question of production, the Commission turned their 

 attention to that of the consumption of food. The result of their suggestions was the 

 setting out of what has been known as The Ten Commandments. These were printed 

 on placards which were posted in every public building, railway coach and street car. 



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