GERMANY FROM WITHIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1916, Page 11

GERMANY FROM WITHIN.

■an WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES. Two Batley ladies, who have been in Wittenberge, a German industrial town between Berlin and Hamburg, from the beginning of the war until December C, have returned to England (says the Yorkshire Post). Their husbands were interned at Euhleben over a year ago, and the ladies were the sole Englishwomen left in the town. They speak very gratefully of kindnesses shown by Herman friends, and of the courteous demeanor of textile workers who had worked under their husbands, but in the streets they were at times subjected to gross insults from "educated" people, notably of their own sex. "Enghwder swine" they were called by one lady of "kultur." Both ladies, with a little girl of three, were compelled to report to tlie police between f) and 10 a.m., and between .i and (i p.m. each day, but the irksomeness of that regulation was mad,, tolerable by tlie courtesy of the police. They were not allowed out of doors, however, after eight, so they never attended in a public place of entertainment or service. They saw no English oapcrs for over a year, and never got out of Wittenbergc," but they surprised their friends by announcing their intention of returning to the country which they had been so often told was in ruins! What were they going to England for? England was beaten. It didn't matter; they were going home. But (hey would have submarines, bombs ,nnd Zeppelins to contend with on the way. ft didn't matter; they were not afraid.

Since the food riots began in Perlin the authorities have lixed' a maximum price for butter, which in Wittcnhevge is now 2s G'/.d per (lerman pound, as compared with 3s before the riots,'hut margarine cannot be got, and lard and dripping are so scarce that the price has gone up to 2s and over. Ham and bacon are 3s per lh. beef, mutton and pork- 2s. and the best sausage went up to 2s Hid, but is a little easier at 2s Hd. Ilread is just double the price that was charged before the war, and rice is Is per 11). The bread tickets issued last winter are still in vogue. A certain amount of bread is allowed to each person, and no more. Meat tickets are also in use, and on two days in .each week all the butchers' shops arc closed ; by Government orders. The famine in fat has led to the issue oi tickets for that essential, the allowance per head being fixed by the authorities. and on one day in each week no butter, fat or cheese can lie purchased. Xew unskimmed milk is reserved for babies, and tickets for skimmed milt are now being issued, so that all may share alike if they have the money to pay for it. Kvery precaution is taken to' prevent people taking money out of the country. Those who have ordered permission to leave are forbidden to take more than €5 to cover their travelling expenses beyond their railway fare, and are searched by officials to secure obedience to this rule.

Ladies who have left flcrmany this week were asked on the train whether they had any money, and were warned that if they did not speak the truth they would he -strafed" and Iceut they would be "strafed" and kept 3(100 marks (£150) in her possession. It was taken from her, and the lady was vigorously reprimanded for having taken the money on to the train with her. A receipt indicating that the money was held in tnirit for her until the close of the war was all she got for it.