Germany

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 35, 17 January 1916, Page 5

Germany

THE KAISER. HIS HEALTH AND HIS BIRTHDAY fUnited Press Association.! London, January 16. Reports of the Kaiser’s illness remain contradictory. A message from Zurich asserts that it is more serious, and doctors differ in their diagnoses. Reports from Berlin minimise the illness. Some say that it is a persistent catarrhal cold, while others adhere to the carbuncle story. All. however, agree that the patient finds it a difficulty to throw off the illness, owing to mental °nd physical strain. His birthday message is in the usual exalted key. He says : The war was forced on ns by our enemies in a spirit of envy and hatred. May Grid accept the heavy sacrifices we have joyfully offered on the altar of the Fatherland.” The Kaiser asks the people to dispense with festivities and to offer loyal prayers. The Kaiser’s birthday festivities have been cancelled. Prince Henry of Prussia has been recalled to Berlin. The Daily News correspondent at Rome says that General von Bulow’s sudden return to Berlin from Switzerland was due to a summons to attend a council, convened under the (presidency of the Crown Prince, to decide measures that are necessary if the Kaiser’‘s illness is prolonged or the operation unsuccessful, also to discuss war matters. Meanwhile it is impossible to obtain information, even from neutrals or diplomatic sources, concerning the Kaiser’s condition. The usual optimistic official reports are now being withheld. THE OPERATION SUCCESSFUL. NOT OUT OF DANCER. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, January 16. Reuter’s correspondent at Rome states that in ecclesiastical circles the Kaiser’s operation on the LJth was successful, but a week must elapse before ho is out of danger, a s complications are possible. THE FOOD SHORTAGE. NEWSPAPER’S GLOOMY VIEW. THE FADED FLOWERS OF BERLIN.

THE BIRTHRATE PROBLEM. (Received 8.40 a.m.) New York, January 16. The Berlin Zeitung, discussing the rood shortage, declares that it is difficult to imagine things becoming worse than they are now, without a crowning disaster occurs. The masses are hungry all day, and many articles of consumption have reached a price wholly beyond the working classes’ pockets, i'he hunger renders them sullen, and deprives them of all the joy of the victories, even though all the hells are ringing. Underfed children, waulooking like faded flowers, are everywhere, and to that extent that it paTls. That the birthrate is occupying the attention of the Government was in evidence at a meeting of the People’s Welfare Association, when representatives of the Prussian Ministry were present. The Government is fully iware of the important question, and its bearing on the future of the Nation, especially now that hundreds ol thousands of yuung men arc being cut >tf in the flower of their youth. In the meantime, the military have forbidden the Association to hold meetings to discuss the high cost ol living.