THE HUNGRY HUN.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 11 October 1917, Page 3

THE HUNGRY HUN.

Dutch newspapers contain articles contributed by a resident of Amsterdam who passed the winter and spring in Germany. The writer says the food situation in the empire has resulted in an alarming increase of crime. Thefts and burglaries are common, but instead of stealing money or jewellery the thieves take food, and often leave valuables untouched.

In addition, says thie writer, the Government 's food regulations are so drastic and the need of the people so great that ingenious subterfuges are used to obtain food, with the result that nearly everybody is spying on his neighbour, and Prussia is one big nest of graft, trickery, and mistrust.

In Berlin thefts of ham, beef, and vegetables are a nightly occurrence, and the courts are overworked. Another disadvantage is the monotonous repetition of the same foodstuffs meted out to the German people. There is no variety. The selectod food is kept for the army, which has not suffered as a result of the food shortage.

To vary the diet of the people the Government has provided a change of menu at stated intervals for different localities. As a result the people exchange vegetables and meats, but this must be done clandestinely, as it is forbidden by the authorities. Hence there is considerable rivalry and jealousy. Thefts occur frequently in the warehouses, and officials in charge of food distribution are often on trial charged with briberv.

Recently the food in northern Germany became very scarce owing to the fact that shipments were delayed in transportation and sidetracked so that the army could be supplied first. A suburb of Berlin was neglected for a month. Consequently each person was allotted half a pound of meat weekly, a daily ration of bread, and a small quantity of vegetables. Once in two weeks each resident was permitted to have an egg. Potatoes were not to be had at all. Children under eight years of age received half a litre of milk daily. In this connection the writer relates an amusing incident. An ingenious German who was a lover of eggs and intended to satisfy his appetite succeeded in getting two eggs instead of one, and he improvised a small incubator, upon which he based hopes of at least one good dinner. In due time two chicks emerged from the two eggs that he had put in his incubator, but some neighbour who had heard about it was mean enough to advise the authorities. Two soldiers came to his house armed with rifles and removed the incubator and the two chicks.