GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1916, Page 5

GERMANY

THE ECONOMIC PRfSSURE. FOOD SUBSTITUTES. London, Feb. 1. Tlow Germany is compelled to find substitute foods is exposed in a striking article in the Daily Chroni"le. The writer, after a close examination of German newspapers, publishes advertisements of synthetic feeds and also reveals the high price... Tea sells at from lis 7d to S.i per 11). There are various substitutes for coffee, including' acorn coll'ec; sunflower oil replaces olive oil, and there is a wonderful array of artificial honeys.

The Berliner Tageblatt publishes advertisements of three kinds of honey—solid, fluid, and powder. Jam powder is also sold in packets. One firm gives a recipe for honey—2lb of sugar, half a pint of water and a packet of ■ sains powder. The result is said to be as good as bees' honey. Pohl. of Berlin, offers substitute powders for eggs, sausages and honey.

A Munich paper advertises that for fleshless days we recommend our assorted stores of fungus.

Hundreds of advertisements of wooden shoes show the shortage of leather. Imitation flannel and canvas are offered. There are many advertisements from buyers, offering high prices for fats. Renter's Amsterdam correspondent states that, the German Minister of Commerce has instructed local authorities throughout the country to prohibit the popular slaughter feasts at which farmers kill their fatted swine.

THE PRESSURE BEING FELT. NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY FEAP/JD. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 1. A neutral correspondent states that the German people are concerned at 'the falling of the value of the mark, and think it better to lose forty-five per cent, of their money now than more later on. Consequently, neutral countries latterly have been flooded with German money. There is still further depreciation in exchange, and there is ako apprehension regarding Germany's financial ability to recognise her war loans after the war. The possibility of national bankruptcy is more openly discussed. and is replacing the previous talk of a huge indemnity. The morale of the people has undoubtedly deteriorated, and this is permeating the whole nation. The want of indispensable necessities is influencing the poor, while •the well-to-do dread the unknown future. The German people will be more than heroic and less than human if they are able to stand the ever-in-creasing pressure for another year, HER LAST RESERVE:. -WILL SOON BE EXHAUSTED. London, Feb. 1. Mr. 'Warner Allen, correspondent with the French armies, states that the Germans continue to lose 200,000 monthly or permanently disabled. They had a reserve of 800,000 at the New Year, and might find 400,000 of second-line troops, among the men already declared unfit for service. If they raise the age limit to 54 they may secure 400,000 more. Their final reserve will thus be exhausted ill August.

BRITAIN THE OBSTACLE. GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S VIEW. London, Eeb. I. ' The Deutsches Journal says that Herr von 15ethmann-llolhveg, addressing the party groups in the Reichstag, remarked that Britain was the only obstacle to peace. There had been no official overtures, but unofficial conversations had taken place in Switzerland and Sweden, in which sixty persons without official standing were participants. He believed that tile warring nations, except Britain, would willingly negotiate for peace, but England was compelling the Allies to refrain. England hoped to succeed in an economic war, hence tiie war would probably last some time.

FOREIGN OFFICE REPORT. Wellington, February '2. The High Commissioner reports under date London, February 1, 3.40 p.m.:— A Foreign Office communication states that the German Chancellor stated tnat England was compelling the Allies to refrain from entering into any peace movement. This statement, which tiie Allies know to be unfrue, was made for tiie purpose of injuring England in the eyes of neutrals. The Allies, on the other hand, hear insidious and untrue reports, circulated from German sources, that England intends to abandon them and even make peace overtures to Germany, which will bo refused. These statements, taken together, give a good illustration of how unscrupulous the German methods are. RAILWAY COLLISION. Amsterdam, Feb. 1. Travellers in Germany report a catastrophe on Saturday. The Cologne express collided witii a hospital train full of wounded soldiers. The shock was terrible, the engine of the express mounting on top of the hospital train. Fortyseven wounded men were fearfully mangled and there were other casualties.