Central Powers.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, 16 February 1917, Page 5

Central Powers.

SHORTAGE OF FOOD INCREASING.

SUFFERINGS OF THE POOR.

j X 7. CARLS ASSN.]

(Received 16, ‘(.13 a.m.) New \uik. Feb. 15.

The I nited Press Berlin correspondent, now at Berne, states that th* 4 food conditions in Germany are steadily growing worse. Thousands of requests have been made from departing Americans lor food. There is endless graft in Berlin. Food cards are stolen and magistrates ami their friends get extra cards. Food dealers interchange wares and the police are powcrle.su because influential people are tin) biggest ottendervs. The recent cold froze and spoiled a large supply. The greatest difficulty is transportation which is used up for army purposes. 'luousands of schools, business hotises and apartments are closed. Meanwhile General Hindenburg is coldly calculating on the possibilities of a military victory before it is necessary to again face the Socialists and other peace agitators.

CRISIS EXPECTED AT END OF MARCH.

HUNGER MAY FORCE CAPITULATION.

[ ACHTUM.IAN AND N.Z. OaBLB ASSN.] (Received 16, 9.30 a.m.) London, Feb. 15.

i The “Daily Chronicle’s” AnisterI diun correspondent states that an American who just, left Germany ! where he resided throughout the war says that after the Kiel and Licpsig food riotis the soldiers refused to fire on the rioters. This was considered a dangerous symptom and led to the appointment of i the Food Dictator. Farmers are still holding stocks in expectation G>f a rise in prices. Any at tempt to ! compel the surrender of hidden I stocks may cause iinernal disseiition. It is expected that there will he a crisis at the md of March or eiij-ly in May when the masses will he reduced tn a cmidilton of further endurance. It is possible that tho soldiers may b<‘ forced io vield stores to feml the civilians. 'there is no fear felt in Germany yet of military defeat, but there a fear th.il desperate hunger will force capitulation. I RUMANIAN GRAIN GOES TO GERMANY. AUSTRIANS LEFT HUNGRY. lATSTW AL) AN AND N .Z. CIABLF ABBN.I (Received 16. 9.15 a.m.) Vienna, Feb. 15. The newspapers announce that .the first consignment of Rumanian grain has arrived in Htingaiv. The Government announces that it i» ' impossible to give any to the civilian population. Ritter complaints | arc made that the Government is yielding to German orders on food que-tions. isud is allowing so much grain to tro to Got many. It is stated that food is so short that th® ‘lower and middle classes may have ,lu remain in bed tho belter part of the day to save food, tlo'hes and shoes, ami to prevent collapsing from starvation. MORE “SHINING WEAPON” TALK. THE KAISER AT VIENNA. ! AUSTRALI AN AND N.Z. CAIILF ASSN.] (Received 16, 10.20 a.m.) ' New York, Feb. 15. The “World’s” Berlin correspondent states that during his visit to Vienna, the Kaiser was interviewed by the playwright, Hans Mueller who quotes him as saying:—“Look at the European neutrals and’ read the Swedish answer which is written as if for all eternity. Now neutrals know right well how they must estimate our strength and likewise our will to peace. For the first time, in a certain sense, the declared will of small neutral States stands against the Anglo-Saxon world, and Napoleon’s continental blockade from a phantom is becoming a reality which will hit England harder than everything else heretofore. The goal is set, and things are going ahead.” Discussing Germany’s peace offer ibe Kaiser said: “This step had been taken ; for now all the world knows who those are who impose continued miseries on humanity, and does not forget that it is the Entente which protects the nmrderervs of the Archduke Ferdinand. On our side are right and morality, and to help these to triumph must everv shining weapon be welcome to us.” Tho Kaiser discussed the drama as representative of kultur. He hoped the poets would continue to draw on Germany’s past and added that, from his earliest youth, few figures had followed him such as Theodoric. King of the Visigoths, (he Kaiser Friedrich 11., and the Emperor Charles V. Trii' Kaiser said to Mueller:- 1 “Who knows if Charles and Luther had come together where the German nation would have been, today T