LIFE IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2966, 3 January 1917, Page 5

LIFE IN GERMANY

PEOPLE PALE AND HAGGARD RATIONSIrTcOLOGNE London, January 1. The "Daily Express" correspondent at Amsterdam sent a neutral merchant of higi standing on a mission of inquiry in Germany. He visited Cologne and Hanover, and attempted to enter Essen. In spite of the continual smuggling of foodstuffs, lie states, the condition of North-Western Germany is terrible. Bread, which is like indiarubber, is made of sweepings of rice and sawdust, yet it is the chief nourishment of tho poor population. The. type of chubby German has disappeared, except among the peasants, who. feed at the expense of the town populations. The latter are mostly pale and haggard. The population of Cologne receive eight ounces of bread, one and a half ounces of meat (including bones), and IS ounces of potatoes a day; twentytwo ounces of sugar, thirteen ounces of fat, and two minces of butter a week, and one egg a fortnight. Only children under six have milk, while fresh vegetables, cheese, and tea are unknown. There is a great increase in theft. Boys and girls are organising bands, which break into the shops. Revolutionarv ideas are growing. The Emperor and the military cliques are between the.two abysses of revolution within and defeat without. The merchant noticed many women in the chnrches carried out fainting for lack of nourishment. Many soldiers on furlough have refused to return to the front, and were imprisoned or shot. AU classes of people , ' are convinced that famine will surely come in the spring, and a revolution will break out unless peace is made. People told the merchant to inform the outside world: "We are starving. If our soldiers can stand it 'longer, we cannot see our suffering hunger. Death is better than such a life. Ask the world to have rrity; our own Government has' none."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.