THROUGH GERMAN GLASSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 71, 24 March 1915, Page 8

THROUGH GERMAN GLASSES.

CRTTEI, ABANDOITMENT OF TBE CHANCELLOR. LECTURES TO FARMERS AND HOUSEWIVES. It is a little unfortunate for Dr. yon Bethmann-Hollweg that on the morrow of his ingenious declaration to an American newspaper correspondent, his favourite organ, the "Deutsche Tageszeitung," the medium through which the Imperial Chancellor's ideas are so often conveyed to a docile German public, should falsify, in a laboured editorial article, his most important statement. Without making any bones about it, the "Tageszeitung" admits frankly and freely not only that Belgium has all along been Germany's objective, but that, (like Mrs. Micawber on a famous occasion) nothing shall persuade 'her to desert it. LIFE OR DEATH QUESTION. The "Tageszeitung declares in effect that the possession of Belgium is essential to the continuance of the German Empire. The future of Belgium is a question of life and death to the future of the German EmpireGermany, and the whole German people, is united in the opinion that never, and under no circumstances, will she again allow the influences of the Western Powers to be paramount in Belgium, directly nor indirectly, from the land side nor from the side of the sea. To assure this, Germany must have guarantees, and these guarantees she can only create by her military and economic strength, and by the realisation of a corresponding political will. Great Britain should drive illusions out of her head. If she wants Belgium, let her send her ships and her troops. General ron Falken-liayn is of the opinion that England will make every effort | to drive the Germans out of Belgium, and that Germany is prepared" for an attempted landing in Belgium, and that the sooner it takes place the better. All the speculations of our opponents, and all their little stories which are intended to show the neutral Powers that Germany does not believe she will win, are unfounded. WARNING TO FARMERS. The "Frankfurter Zeitung," which has already trounced the farmers pretty severely for hoarding their stores of potatoes while the poor are starving, now attacks them on another flank:— Our opponents hope to starve us into submission. Their hopes shall be dashed to the ground. Our first necessary step in this direction is to sow the fields in the spring. It is a difficult task for German farmers, considering the number of hands that are missing, but good-will and courage will achieve a great deal. Sow early vegetables as abundantly as you can. Sow during this year as much* summer -wheat as you can! For the near future, however, another duty arises: Do not keep back your wheat supplies,.otherwise appropriation will follow. Through a law of 1914 an owner of wheat may have his wheat taken away from him if he does not bring it on the market. It is a hard law, but necessity knows no limitations. i Whosoever to-day Tetains his wheat is i a, friend of our foes, an ally of those who hate us and pursue us, and who murder our son s in the field. PLEDGE FROM HOUSEWIVES. t The "Hamburger Nachrichten," which has already had its little blow at the agricultural community, turns its attention to the purely domestic side of the problem: — We all know how the cutting off of wheat imports affects our normal supplies. Is it, then, expecting too much if the German housewives are asked to pledge themselves not to bake any cakes or white bread in their households dur-, ing the period of the war? | Whatever is deemed absolutely necessary should be purchased, in order to support the bakers, whose requirements of flour will be limited by the State Let us leave the white bread to the sick—for them it is indispensable; the •healthy can well ea£ ammunition bread or K-bread. If the firm resolve prevails to practise economy in good time among the whole German nation then we shall be able to do what we must do —that is, "hold out." All German housewives who wish to help in small matters ' are therefore urged to assist in the importanß ones and send in a postcard with some such words as the following: "I bind myself, for the duration of the war, not to bake any cakes or wEite bread in my household." THE BITTER PILL. The food problem is also discussed at great length by the "Berliner Tageblatt" and the "Tagliche Rundschau." The former plumps for a menu of salt fish, pickled meat, bread and cheese, and no butter:— Think of the sacrifice made by our dear glorious soldiers, and begin to wage the .economic war of defence tenaciously. The whole nation must learn to eat' intelligently, from the highest to the lowest in the land. Even he who can I pay for it should not use more Sian is I necessary. Help, ye hotelfceepers and bakershelp, ye German housewives a million! times over! From now on begins the period of internal.*hange kitchen, j The kitchen saves the Fatherland. It may be hard on German stomachs, and •harder still on German palates, which so dearly love good things. But still, bitter though the pill may be, we must swallow it. WE MUST EAT LESS! "THESE IRON TIMES." The "Rundschau" opens its columns to a sermon by Generalsecretar Rich Kunze, who lectures people and Govern-1 ment alike:—

Thi s terrible war can only be brought to a happy ending if we are able to feed ourselves throughout its duration, and our food supplies will suffice, but only if ■nse exercise the greatest economy in every direction.

This necessity, however, must not be any longer dependent on the goodwill of the individual. There is too much at stake for this.

As far as wheat supplies are concerned, " the' authorities "have already taken certain steps, but the use of present supplies may under no circumstances be left to the inclination of the individual- The newly-formed Cereals Company, Limited, is. really only an inefficient substitute for a broad State organisation. Through the advanced prices which are proposed £10,000,000 •will be taken out of the pockets of the German people and transferred into speculators' hands;

:*Ehe regulations enforcing the.admix .lure .of/rye- of .potato"flour- witi.'twieat ■flour should have -heen more strict. These iron times require men of iron .**Fe can have no consideration for: eflfcmI Jfcacy and personal convenience, "^^