Alongside this shortage has come an increased demand for meat for the
great armies. The soldier's ration always contains more meat than is
eaten by the civilian population.


THE MEAT RATIONS OF EUROPE

The shortage has compelled vigorous control of consumption in order
to make the distribution as nearly fair as possible. Compulsory meat
rations are enforced in all the warring countries. They vary, of
course, from time to time as the amount of available meat changes, but
the following statements give a picture of how limited the allowances
are in periods of shortage.

England did not suffer for lack of meat at the outset of the war. Her
voluntary ration (November, 1917) was generous, 2 pounds per week.
In the beginning of 1918 the supply was very low, and by the end of
February London was put on meat rations, and in April the rest of the
country. The rationing system has made distribution easier and more
fair and greatly lessened the distressing "queues" of people waiting
before butchers' shops for their allowance. The regulations allow each
person 4 coupons a week. Children under 10 are on half-rations. At
first, 3 of these coupons could buy 5 pence' worth of beef, pork, or
mutton, and one had to be used for a limited amount of bacon, ham,
poultry, or game. The total amounted to about 1¼ pounds of meat a
week.

Because of the increased amount of bacon and ham which the United
States was able to send in the late spring, heavy workers were
permitted in May 2 extra coupons, for which they might buy a pound of