GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1916, Page 5

GERMANY.

COST OF LIVING. DISCONTENT IN BERLIN. BUT PLENTY OF GAIETY. AND NO SIGNS OF DISTRESS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, May 8. The following nuetral description of the Berlin and Hamburg districts is absolutely accurate. Money is abundant and there is work for all, but the whole population is on short rations regarding many necessaries, causing infinite grumbling among the poor, who are heartily sick of war and have no voice in determining the policy. " The upper and middle classes are not suffering. The English blockade is now beginning to have some effect. The Germans admit great anxiety concerning the next two months. The Government urge's the people to hold out until July, when the harvest will be gathered. The harvest prospects are very good, but in general the crops have suffered through lack of fertilisers. is no sign of distress in Berlin, but below the surface significant things are noticeable. Soup kitchens are being opened on a large scale, where the poorest quality soup is served, consisting chiefly of potatoes. The diet is largely of substitutes; Saccharine for sugar, imitation coffee, etc. Even beer is adulterated. The Bavarians especially are grumbling at the hop shortI age, and there is an inquiry into brewing. The authorities issue washing soda cards and are preparing soup cards. There is plenty of gaiety in Berlin—officers fill the theatres and the women are well dressed in Paris fashions. Attempts to introduce German fashions absolutely failed. Numerous wounded throng the public pla««* A novelty at the Easter races was a great display of Zeppelina and Taubes over the racecourses. Shakespeare celebrations have been in full swing. The Berliners dread trouble with America. Troops' movements are largely in a westerly direction. The Germans have not the slightest fear of the Russians now. They admit that Turkey is bitter and semi-starved. All the soldiers met seemed absolutely confident that Germany had won the war. Hamburg is deserted. The good people of Hamburg and Bremen consistently oppose the retention of Antwerp, fearing injury 10 German ports. Prices in Hamburg are higher than in Berlin. The well-known Hamburg geese are selling at 40s each, sugar at 5s per lb., coffee at 5s per lb., string is being made of paper, and the best cuts of beef in Berlin are 6s per lb. The passport regulations stringently restrict the departure of the richest Germans to Denmark and Switzerland. Three things prevent a national protest against war —the Germans* extreme docility, the absence of men at the front making organisation and protest difficult, and the belief that the Allies are everywhere on the defensive.

"AN IRISH RISE." CROWN PRINCE TO BE REMOVED FROM COMMAND, Vancouver, May 8. A Swedish dispatch states that the German General Staff has decided, with the consent of the Kaiser, to remove the Crown Prince from his command on the Verdun front.