Page 7

LESSON L 
Our problem is to feed the Allies and our own soldiers abroad 
by sending them as much food as we can of the most concentrated 
nutritive value in the least shipping space. These foods are wheat, 
beef, pork, sugar, and fats. 
Our solution is to eat less of these and as little of all foods as 
will support health and strength. All saving counts for victory. 
The situation has become critical. There is not enough food in 
Europe, yet the soldiers of the Allies must be maintained in full 
strength; their wives and children at home must not face famine; 
the friendly neutrals must not be starved; and, finally, our own 
Army in France must never lack a needed ounce of food. 
There is just one way in which all these requirements can be met. 
North America must furnish the food. And we must furnish it from 
our savings because we have already sent our normal surplus. 
England, Ireland, France, Italy, and Belgium have always de- 
pended upon imports for a great part of their food supplies. Dis- 
tant markets are now, because of the submarine, only partially 
accessible. America offers the nearest and safest route. A   ship 
can make two journeys from England to the United States in the 
same time as one to Argentina, and three to the United States in 
the same time as one to Australia. 
The available supply of food is less than ever before. Many mil- 
lion men have changed from sedentary workers to soldiers, and 
soldiers need more food. Millions of women are doing harder work 
and need more food. The very fact that these people are now en- 
-gaged largely in manual pursuits decreases production and makes 
greater the need of importing food. 
The Allies are making every effort to reduce waste, and they ask 
us to meet only their absolutely imperative needs. 
If we are to maintain a continuous supply of food to them, we must 
reduce our consumption of wheat, meat, fat, and sugar, and we must 
lessen waste. 
Food is wasted if it is eaten when it is not needed as well as when 
it is thrown away. 
Conservation is a moral issue. It is intemperance to waste food. 
Conservation means national saving of all resources. 
High prices are conservative by reducing the standard of living 
of the majority.