GERMANY TO-DAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 127, 31 December 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

GERMANY TO-DAY.

AMERICAN LADY'S EXPERIENCES

There, arrived in London last week Miss Lorette Weir, a young American .»lsdy, jvho has just left Berlin after studying music there for a couple or

She has had unusual opportunities of • meeting people in all grades of society in Berlin,, and she told a Daily Chronicle representative *nany interesting stories about recent events in Germany. "Ten days ago," she said. picked men were sent towards Turkey. Their ultimate destination, so I am told, was Egypt, which they intended to seise. No American correspondents were allowed with the troops. The Surnaliats were ordered to remain in crlin, and were told that when circumstances, permitted they would be allowed to follow. This was rather strange, because whenever the Germans are confident of success they allow the American correspondents to accompany them. When there is a possibility of failure they remain behind. "News of the great advance of the Allies was kept from the German people, wtio wero told that some ground had been lost which (would speedily be re-taken. A German officer spoke to me of the loss of 20,000 men, and was obviously depressed by the news. But the authorities deliberately mislead the people, who imagine that what ground the British ' have won amounts to little more than a few trenches.

SOCIALISTS AND PEACE. "Amongst the German people there is w do-spread depression. If the Socialists were allowed to hold meetings theoi would be a demand for peace at any cost. But their mouths are silenced. The Germans would be glad to conclude a separate peace with Russia, but their hatred of the British is as intense as ever. "After the Lusitani* Note to Germany we were openly spoken of in the streets as 'these The Germans were convinced that America would come in on the side of the Al--1 es. and were amazed when she remained neutral. "When the news was spread that the Bank of England, Liverpool Street station, and a fourth of the City of London had been destroyed, many upper class Germans expressed regret that such a line city should be wiped out. For many people firmly believe that betore the war is over London will l»e destroyed by fire. It is not generally known that Von Tirpitz has been asked to resign because he wishes to wage war oh a scale hitherto unknown. He believes that when at war there need be no limit to the horrors planned and executed. It is for this reason that the Kaiser and Tirpitz are in a state of friction." The Kaiser would prefer more humane methods. ADMIRATION FOR BRITISH SOLDIERS. - "The greatest admiration for the iir.L sa soldier is expressed. A German officer told me that his men would rather meet any company of men than the British, because the latter keep cool, never lose their heads, never give -in, and fight till the last. "Men of fifty have been called up for the army, and th euext call will be for boys of sixteen. "No language except German is allowed in the streets. Americans are not permitted to speak their own tongue, under the penalty of fines. "There is a great shortage of raw materials. Rubber has been smuggled in in the form of sausages. The scarcity is so great that no private individual in Berlin is allowed to use his automobile, except a doctor. Rubber floors have been taken up, and every scrap in any shape or form has been used. HOW COPPER SUPPLIES WERE "By an ingenious dcrice the Germans'managed to get a great quantity of copper from Switzerland. They ordered there thousands of busts of Hindenburg, which, as objects of art, would bo allowed to leave the country. As soon as the busts were received they were melted down. Every atom of copper in private houses has been commandeered. One lady 1 know was al- '< lowed, as an act of grace, to retain a topper urn because of her many gifts of lead and tin. But that is very exceptional. Any refusal to furnish the 1 Government with copper is strictly punished. "So tar as fpod is concerned, the poor have meat only once a week. Lately Hour has come from the CarEatliiiiiis. but there is no white bread. Irey ond black bread is eaten everywhere. Butter is 2s (id a pound; potatoes very high. Pork is now the most expensive meat in Germany. '/Hundreds of films for neutral countries, showing the Germans as tenderI hearted and chivalrous, have been sent I out. In such film plays the French girl I always ends up by falling in love with the German officers." M'ss Weir added that she was subjected to a strict examination before leaving Germany, otherwise no difficulties wero put >n her way.