GERMANY WITHIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2767, 10 May 1916, Page 5

GERMANY WITHIN

"ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE" PICTURE , OF CONDITIONS FAMINE PRICES IN HAMBURG By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ( Times' and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, May 8. iho following neutral description of the Berlin and Hamburg districts is absolutely accurate: "Money is abundant; there is work for all, but 'the whole population is on short rations regarding many necessaries. This is causing infinite grumbling among the poor, who are heartily sick'of a war in which they have no voice in determining its policy. The upper middlo classes arc'not suffering. The English blockade is now beginning to have some effect. The Germans admit there is great anxiety concerning the nest two months, the Government -urges the people to hold out until July, when the harvest will bo gathered. The harvest prospects are very great, but in general the crops have suffered through lack of fertilisers. "There is plenty of gaiety in Berlin! but below the surface significant things are noticeable. Soup kitchens are being opened on a large scale. The soup is of tho poorest quality, being made chiefly of potatoes. The diet is largely of substitutes—saccharine for sugar,' imitation coffee, etc. Even the beer is adulterated. The Bavarians, especially, are grumbling at' tho hop shortage. The authorities issue washing soda cards, and are preparing soup cards. "Thero is plenty of gaiety in Berlin. Officers fill the'theatres, the women are well dressed in Paris fashions. Attempts to introduce' German fashions have absolutely failed. Numerous ivounded throng tho public . places. A novelty at the Easter races was a great display by Zeppelins and Taubes over tho racecourse. Shakespeare celebrations havo been in. full swing. "The people 'of Berlin dread troublo with America." Troop rdovements are largely westerly. The Germans have not the slightest fear of the Russians now. The Germans admit that Turkey is bitter and half-starved. All tho soldiers met seemed absolutely .confident that Germany had Won the war. "Hamburg is a desert. The good people of Hamburg and Bremen consistently oppose the retention of Antwerp, fearing injury to German ports. Prices in Hamburg are higher thanin Berlin. At Hamburg geese are selling at forty shillings each; sugar is five shillings per pound, coffee the same ■ price: String is being made of paper. The test cuts of beef in Berlin are six shillings per pound.' The passport regulations stringently restrict tho departure of rich Germans to Denmark and Switzsrlaud. "Three things prevent a national pro-, test by the auti-war Germans: Extreme docility, the absence of men at the front mating the organisation of a protest difficult, and the belief that the Allies are everywhere on the defensive."-