THE GREAT MEAT RIOT IN BERLIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2771, 15 May 1916, Page 5

THE GREAT MEAT RIOT IN BERLIN

GRAPHIC NARRATIVE OF THE " SCENES " DOWN WITH THE THIEVING BUTCHERS!" By TclewaDh-Press Association-Oonyright (Rec. May li, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 13. A neutral traveller from Berlin narlates that on Tuesday the inmates oi the Kaiser's Palace plainly heard thh tumult of the great meat riot, which «as originated by thousands of women- who had congregated to buy m'eut at the famous Biesold Stores. The stores were closed, a notice appearing on tho window, ".Sold out." Before the police arrived the women had battered in the doors and invaded the premises. Tho police were powerless to restrain the women, who emerged with legs of mutton, cuts of meat,, sides ol bacon, hams, and poultry. Tho refrigerating chambers were found to have been packed with provisions, and the crowds in every direction came in for "a share of the loot.

Soon the Wilhelmstrasse was lilockctTby an over-increasing mob amid cries of: "Down with the thieving butchers!" The building was stormed. The police wero knocked down and trampled on by the mob, and from the upper windows the rioters threw to the crowds strings of sausages, hams, and other provisions. Dozens of women fainted, and Jay iu the street nncared for. An inrush of mounted police who came to the rescue of their comrades drove the rioters down into the side streets.

Later, in the evening movo furious riots broke out in other parts of Berlin. Butchers' shops were raided and wrecked. Men participated in the riots. Tho police charged with drawn swords, wounding several, including women. The rioters, driven back, rallied and stoned the police, who fired their revolvers mostly in the air. Nearly a dozen rioters are now in ho'n'tal suffering from Jwl;i»* woumls,

The workers in the various cities are stowing desperate, and are practically on the eve of revolt at the high prices. The authorities,. aware of this, have drafted troops to certain districts. ~X Tho Kaiser is much perturbed, and re- % y from Hel ' von Bethmann-Hollwcg ( (the Imperial Chancellor), a daily report on the troubles. ,' MINISTER FOR INTERIOR RESIGNS ON PLEA OF ILL-HEALTH. (Rec. May 14, 5.5 .p.m.) ' . ' Amsterdam, May 13. A German official message states thut Dr. Delbrueek (German, Imperial Minister for the Jnterior) has resigned, owing to ill-health. His successor will not be appointed for some time. MINISTER FOR RATIONS APPOINTED (Eec. May 14, 11.30 p.m.) ,- Copenhagen, May 13. It is*semi-officially aunounced from Berlin that Count Roedern, Minister for Alsace-Lorraine, has been appointed Minister for the Interior (vice Dr. Dclboneek), and that Ilerr von Hertling, Bavarian Premior, has been appointed Imperial Minister for Rations. ■ RELIEF FOR STARVING POLAND GENERAL IDEA OF NEW SCHEME, ' (Rec. May li, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 13. the Government has accepted the American proposals for the relief of Polish territory in German occupation on certain conditions until October, when the harvest will bo available. Under the scheme, Germany will pro. vide the relief ships, which will be manned by neutral crews, to convey food from America, and will undertake not to interfere with tho importations, which are to be restricted to civilians. America is controlling the rovictualling of tho cities. It will be necessary to import forty thousand tons every month. America contributes cereals, fats, and condensed milk, on condition that Germany pays in gold for her American purchases. Sir Edward Grey lias agroed, on Germany agreeing, not to export Polish foodstuffs except a surplus of potatoes, and to revictual homes in Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro,