GERMANS STAGE HUGE FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 29 March 1947, Page 5

GERMANS STAGE HUGE FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS

Received Fridav, 0.50 p.m. HAAIBCRG, Mar. 28. A Jocil trade union conference decided tliat all Essen workers except miiiers, railwav, hospital and water supply workers, would cease work for three hours t his morning in protest against the food situation. The conferenee will ask the World Federation of Trade rnions to do evorything possible to preveut a famiiie in the Ruhr. l'osters appesired in Dusseldorf reading: "We are liungry, " and calling Germans to a niass demonstration tomojrow morning. Similar leafiets were distributed in trams and public places. "This is the most serious crisis we have had so far/' said the senior British spokesman at Jlusseldorf discussing German unrest because of food shortages. The British liad evidence that the demonstrations and strikes in the Ruhr this week had been politicav and organised. There was evidence to suggest that sabotage of the food distribution and collection svstems caused part of the trouble. Palmers had been failing tc report crops and bakers were concealing stoeks. Quantities of food had disappeared on the way from the north to the Ruhr." The Mayor of Cologne said the German Administration was not respon sibln and Germans could only appeal to world opinion. The Westphalian Minister of Social Affairs (ICarl Selxwarz) said the Communists inspired and organised, and tlie trade unions led the demonstrations. The Assoeiated Press adds that the organisation of the demonstrations is good. The crowds appear punetuallj at the appointed places and form orderly proeessions.