frugality of the people, much of which was self-imposed for the purpose
of helping to win the war. On very, good authority I have been given to
understand that food was less abundant during the winter just past;
partly because of the effect of the severe weather on our American
railroads, which had trouble in getting supplies to the coast, and partly
because more and more ships were required for transporting American
troops and supplies for these troops, to France. This additional
curtailment was most felt by families of small income, whose earners were
at the front or away on other government service. Mothers had great
difficulty in getting adequate nourishment for growing children. But the
British people cheerfully submitted to this further deprivation. Summer
is at hand. It is to be hoped that before another winter sets in,
American and British shipping will have sufficiently increased to remedy
the situation.

In regard to what I have said of the British army, I was profoundly
struck, as were other visitors to that front, by the health and morale of
the men, by the marvel of organization accomplished in so comparatively
brief a time. It was one of the many proofs of the extent to which the
British nation had been socialized. When one thought of that little band
of regulars sent to France in 1914, who became immortal at Mons, who
shared the glory of the Marne, and in that first dreadful winter held
back the German hosts from the Channel ports, the presence on the battle
line of millions of disciplined and determined men seemed astonishing
indeed. And this had been accomplished by a nation facing the gravest
crisis in its history, under the necessity of sustaining and financing
many allies and of protecting an Empire. Since my return to America a
serious reverse has occurred.

After the Russian peace, the Germans attempted to overwhelm the British