MOST IMMORAL CAPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1919, Page 10

MOST IMMORAL CAPITAL.

NIGHT LIFE IN BERLIN. A journalist has often to delve into unexpected, places and see the seamy side of life (says the special correspondent of the Daily Express in Berlin). Thus have I frequently made acquaintance with night life in great cities. Immorality and night life are inseparable companions, but in Berlin they are twin sisters. Berlin was proud of its title, "The most immoral capital of Europe,'' before the war, and it earned it. It can still claim it. Of course, it is perfectly mad, this dancing, drinking, gambling, doping craze. There is a strike, but as I entered the hotel I was handed an envelope containing a ticket for the "Workers' Ball." to begin at seven o'clock. The attractions are two American bars (I am quoting the ticket) and prizes for the most beautiful and for the most original costumes, I shall not attend the hall, for I know just what, it yill be—a lot of wild bunny-hugging, fox-trotting couples and much drinking. There are' more than 100 dancing places going full blast in Berlin. They range from the magnificent and quite orderly "Palais de Dunse" to low pliu-os, where the ball terminates in a free tiglil. Nominally dancing halls should close at 11.30, but the rule is observed in the breach. Only the restaurants close — most of them—at 11.30, and most theatres are over at ten, but the wild life goes on all night long.