LETTERS FROM GERMANY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20063, 9 October 1939, Page 9

LETTERS FROM GERMANY

HARDSHIPS OF PEOPLES LONDON, Sept. 21. The Manchester Guardian publishes extracts from' two private .letters from Germany, written during the second week of the war, which declare that already there is general suffering from food privations, principally of fats, flour, meat, and fish. Ration cards are necessary for practically everything, but the confusion of distributing organisations causes additional hardships. There is no sign of enthusiasm, even amongst the youngest soldiers. Veterans of the war of 1914-18, who have been called up, express bitterness, resentment, and criticism that the heads of the regime are not fighting. There is no sign of rebellion except by individuals, because open resistance is ruthlessly checked. One writer reports that an ex-sol-dier was shot dead because he refused to report for service. The authorities informed his wife that "he wag sentenced to death and the sentence was carried out on such a date.” British Pamphlets The populace is gradually realising that France and Britain are fighting, despite official denials, but the arrival of pamphlets, not bombs, led to widespread belief that the Allies were avoiding the issue. The leaflets are read avidly. The clear printing makes it possible for them to be read as they lie on the .ground, so avoiding the risk of picking them up. Foreign broadcasts, despite possible severe punishment, are listened to generally. The German news contradicts the foreign news; consequently, everyone is perturbed, but is giving considerable credence to the foreign news. Males and females aged from 15 to 50 and every motor vehicle have been called up for national service. No casualty lists are published. The prohibition of wearing of .mourning is promoting intense dissatisfaction.