STRICT RATION SYSTEM

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 89, 9 November 1939, Page 1

STRICT RATION SYSTEM

PEOPLE'S OUTLOOK ON WAR The following letter written by a German from a town in Southern Germany in the second week of the war gives an indication of the state of opinion: "The outbreak of war has not had the sensational effect which might have been expected. No one doubted that Hitler would invade Poland in the end, but it was doubted that the British and French would take action. The fact that Great and France Have entered the^ war is sinking but slowly into people's minds .. . Many still believe that neither Great Britain nor Prance is

in earnest. There is still a widespread belief that the Western Powers will withdraw when Poland has been defeated. Although it is true that people are worried and anxious, they are less so than they were ten days ago, because the bombs they expected have not yet fallen. 'They haven't the guts to start, ' is what many people say of the Western Powers. Reports of Polish atrocities which fill the papers and are 'documented' by photographs feed' \the hatred felt for the Poles. Nor is •anti-British, propaganda unsuccessful. Many people are honestly convinced that Great Britain has no other aim than to drive others into war with Germany while keeping out of trouble herself. All this does* not prevent people, from listening eagerly to foreign radio stations whenever they have the chance. Much of the information in foreign broadcasts is undoubtedly believed ... the severe penalties for listening in to foreign broadcasts do not prevent it. The only effect it has is to make people talk less freely about the foreign news. And yet everybody knows of all the others that they are listening-in. The contradictions between Germany and foreign news produce a distinct feeling of uncertainty. "Of rebellion or open resistance there is no sign . ... . People feel that the regime still has tremendous power. One has to put lip with it and keep quiet. But there is a good deal of grumbling ...... amongst housewives, who are trying to hoard whatever they can lay hands on. Ration cards have been introduced for almost everything. Even shaving soap can only be obtained with ration cards. The ration of flour is half a pound per head per week. Even the farmers can obtain meat and flour only with ration cards . . . The harvest was not finished in the beginning of September. For example, potatoes and turnips have not yet been brought in. The second hay harvest (so vitally important for cattle feeding) has not been brought in either. Women and girls who have been recruited to help with the harvest cannot cope with the job ... Even the men who served in the last war have been called up. Most of them were full of bitterness and resentment wheto'they left for their barracks ... "During the last few days they have been recruiting in the villages even those youngsters who have not yet done labour service. Artisans up to fifty years of age have been called up with their assistants. Many of the smaller workshops are left without a single hand. The peasants had to hand all their horses over to the Army with harness and carriages. Every tractor, every car has been confiscated ... "There is great confusion in the administrative machine. The officials do not know how to work the breadrationing scheme yet . . .Retail dealers cannot get goods from wholesale dealers .. . There is no sign of enthusiasm amongst the soldiers who are crowding the innumerable trams. Most of them, even the young ones, are full of fears. The Nazis preach systematically, 'It will not be so bad; we shall soon have finished with those skunks of Poles.' There were many dramatic scenes when the conscripts said goodbye. Of many who were called up three weeks ago there is as yet no news ..."