NOTES ON THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17394, 3 February 1917, Page 8

NOTES ON THE WAR.

For the first time official Germany has confessed that the British blockade is effective. The statement made in the Note sent to America abandons all attempt to hide the serious aspect, of the food trouble. I>r von BethmannHollweg sees the vitality of the nation going down under the relentless hold of the British Navy. The suspicion that the admission of the Imperial Chancellor is made for the purpose of excusing the ruthless submarine campaign need not be harboured to the exclusion of its acceptance as truth. The evidence from outside sources is growing to an extent that leaves doiibt impossible. Germany's failure, too, is not entirely due to the British Navy. The blockade is the primary cause, but the' Teuton authorities have contributed largely to the seriousness of the situation. • Neutral visitors from time to time have lifted the veil, but probably none so completely as Madeleine Doty, an American lady, who investigated the case of the poorer classes, moving amongst the working women of Berlin without being guarded by the Teuton officials. Her estimate of the position is based on her experiences; her story is that of an eye-witness. The first charge levelled at Germany by Miss Doty is against the efficiency of the authorities. She insists that Germany suffers from over-organisation. She was representing the Christian Work Fund, and in her mission amongst the needy she saw the German system at its best and worst. The following items are to be had only with Government cards:— Bread, meat, potatoes, butter, sugar, cheese, milk, eggs, meal, flour, soap and cheap clothes. Each person has to trade at the store assigned. Working people have to buy during noon and evening hours. This results in long lines in front of every shop at twelve and at six.

As a striking example of the German red tape that is helping the Briltsh Navy's blockade, Miss Doty tells the following story, which she says contains no exaggeration of fact:—" FraM Dunker is a working woman. She works early and late. She has no time for frivolity. Shopping i s a luxury. But) Frau Dunker's I stockings had given out. They had holes past mending. She must have new ones. Cheap stockings require a Government card. Silk stockings can be had without. But, silk stockings are not in Frau Dunker's class. Grumblingly she gets her clothes card. She leaves the factory at noon, and spends the lunch hour in search. She finds the needed stockings, but at twice their former price. She carefully notes store and price. Tho adventure in stockings has only begun. The next step is a visit to the police. In the evening, weary with work, she waits her turn in lino. At last her name is called. She receives a certificate of identification stating she is Fra-j Dunker, and lives in Martin Luther Strasse. Armed with this she next proceeds to a city magistrate. Again she waits her turn, but eventually reaches the august presence. The interview is touching. The magistrate doubts her necessity. She removes her shoes and exhibits naked toes, protruding through gaping holes. She tells tho dispenser of stockings that the articles are to be had at such a store for such a price. Grudgingly the magistrate gives, an order for two pairs. Thus equipped with identification certificate and magistrate's order, Frau Dunker proceeds to her purchase. Fortunately, the stockings desired are still to be had. Had they been sold, and a different kind purchased, the red tape must all be unravelled again."

In another instance, where the facts are even more suggestive, Miss Doty reveals not ouly the machine-like stupidity of the German system, but also the terrible state of the people. "One Saturday evening I went to a big market in the poor quarter of Berlin. This market covers an entire block. In it are sold meat, groceries and dairy products. I arrived at six. There was little meat visible. At one booth a butcher presided over a wholly empty counter. A little old woman stood before him weeping bitterly. Between sobs she let out a torrent of words. This is what she said: ' I must have some'fat'— sob—'l haven't had meat or fat for three weeks.' Sob, sob, sob. ' My stomach has turned against marmalade '—sob—' I can't live on it any longer.' Sob, and indignantly: 'lt's no use telling me to come earlier before the meat's gone. I can't come earlier. I have to work until six.' I pulled my companion's sleeve: 'Lookl' I said. 'There's meat on that other counter; couldn't we buy some?' But no, of course not; the little old woman could only get moat with her meat card from her particular butcher. This time it was I who said: 'Curses on the military.' Conspicuously over many counters flapped the sign, ' Ersatz.' ' Ersatz ' means substitute. Sausage Ersatz was a pale edition of the real article. One's speculations run riot." In the northern portion of Berlin, Miss Doty saw the effects of war. "There," she said, "little children swarmed, dirty, ragged, barefooted and pale. This is a new state of affairs for Germany. Heretofore there have always been at least potatoes and clothes.

No one has gono hungry. Paternalism flourishes only when the family is fed. When father fails to furnish food tho children rebel. The spirit of rebellion is abroad in Germany. \\ e visited several tenements. The following is a typical family. A mother, nine children, and grandmother, two rooms and a kitchen. Father in the war, income 144 marks (just over £7) a month; rent, 29s » month. Thi s mother could not afford to eat at a feeding kitchen. One meal at 5d a head meant 4s 7d. The baby was six months old. It had what is termed ' tho English sickness.' It was weak from lack of nourishment. It could not raise 'ts arms. Since September 1 only children under six are allowed milk. The allowance is a pint a day. Not enough to nourish a baby. This family was living on tea and potatoes." A wellinformed Social Democrat, told her that in the big hospitals for babies the increase in mortality was 50 per cent. Tu the German papers were printed the following statistics in regard to the Children's Hospital in Berlin. In tho first three days, 1912-1913, ninetythree died. In the first three days 1914 to 1915. 160 died. She consulted Dr Kimmule. the head of the German Bed Cross in Berlin, about securing milk. He thought the best, investment goats, but the wealthy agrarian who sold the goats asked 150 marks (about £7 7s) a goat. Ordinarily, the price is thirty marks, or about 295. This year the potato crop has been a failure, and according to Miss Doty the worst time of the year for Germany is in the spring. It was in last spring when the potatoes gave out that the food riots occurred in Hamburg. The spring is approaching again. In Hamburg, Miss 'Doty was told, the women ran straight on the soldiers' bayonets in the straggle.for food, and several were killed. The following day, Sunday, the Government had to .throw open the Hamburg provision stores, and let the people buy to restore peace. Berlin, has had several riots. In some cities women have been shot. "It is quite easy to start rebellion." said a Social Democrat. "Several times we went to the market and urged the crowd to riot. But we stopped, for women were put in prison and the children left destitute." But -when there are no potatoes there will be riots. As long as there is food for the children, however inadequate, the women keep quiet..' Their hearts are sore, but they dare not rebel. She expected the potato supply to give out in March or April, if not before, unless the Rumanian captures put off the evil day. Then riots, she insists, will take place.