What is my duty, what is the most sensible and profitable course for me to follow in my private and business affairs during the continuance of the war? This is the great question confronting every American citizen. Here is a common-sense reply: Before we can settle the matter in detail, we must grasp those elementary principles which govern national affairs. This does not involve great learning or research, for economic knowledge is little else than common sense applied to big subjects. The war will be won by the nation which can place the greatest number of men, the greatest amount of material in the field, and produce the greatest amount of foodstuffs to supply its military and civilian forces. This fact is so generally recognized that it is not necessary to bring forward elaborate arguments to prove it. We are a wealthy nation, and the question arises as to whether or not we can win the war by throwing our surplus wealth into the struggle. 13 p.