WITHIN THE ENEMIES' COUNTRIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2783, 30 May 1916, Page 5

WITHIN THE ENEMIES' COUNTRIES

NEUTRAL TRAVELLER'S STORY

GLIMPSE OF CONDITIONS By Telegraph—PreES Association—Copyright London, May 28. ' A neutral traveller, in an article in the "Daily Chronicle," describes the conditions prevailing in the beleaguered Teulonic countries. The Germans and AusIrians, he says, mostly dine in restaur, unts, as it is a cheaper method than hartsg' meals at home. There aro crowds in the cafes and beerhouses. Performances by aetrcsses are prohibited in the music halls, and only male performers who are specially exempted irom military service aro allowed. The lmlls aro frequented by tho soldiery for'drinking purposes. The prices of. clothes aro almost nor. inal. Food riots'are kept, in check by iron discipline. Prisoners of war aro employed in largo numbers in the fields. French wines, believed to have been btolen in the occupied territories, aro largely sold.

Ho noticed that thrift was carried to the mast extreme details. In Austria, the lamps in the trains wero burning oil .extracted from apple pips. An appeal was circulated asking foi the surrender of gold teeth, plates, and stoppings. During the war dentists aro forbidden to use gold. There was considerablo agitation in Southern Germany at tho Food Dictator's power to i'ver-rido the local laws which prohibit exports from. Bavaria and other States where tho foodstuffs are plentiful. Horr von Beth-man-Hollweg (Imperial Chancellor) .lias gone to "Munich. Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe with a view to revising the food organi. Ration.

Important negotiations are beginning to be held in Berlin to dooide the. position of Alsace and Lorraine after the war. Thfl writer le'arned that the 'Germans have rebuilt tho Liege forts in concrete and iron.

There is a marked change in the attitude of the people, who are now full of admiration for the Russians and French. The.v regard the Italians as traitors, and uncompromisingly liate the British.

It is everywhere admitted thnt war ivXli America must he avoided, ns it would bo a final and crushing blow.