AMERICA AND GERMANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 19

AMERICA AND GERMANY.

WASHINGTON, May 8. Another Note is to be sent to Germany, informing her that, if her instructions as to visit and search issued to her submarine commanders are observed, diplomatic relations will remain unbroken, but pointing out that the United States cannot allow Germany to dictate as to United States negotiations with Britain. The Note accepts the assurance of an altered submarine policy, relying on its scrupulous execution for the maintenance of food relations. America refuses flatly, however, to consent to this new policy being contingent on the conduct of any other Government. THE NEW POLICY. MADRID, May 8. A German submarine sank the French sailing ship Marie Molinos. Her commander gave the French crew 15 minutes to take to the boats, and they were picked up 18 hours later-

LONDON, May 8. The steamer Cymric is reported to be in a sinking condition. The Cymric had a full cargo, and was on her homeward voyage from America. She was torpedoed in the Atlantic. ALLEGED RAIDERS IN THE ATLANTIC. THE RUMOUR DISCREDITED. WASHINGTON, May 8. The Naval Attache to the British Embassy at Washington is investigating a report that two German commerce raiders are at large in the Atlantic, off the Azores. The crew of the steamer Venezia, of the Fabrie Line, just arrived from Bordeaux, asserts that raiders fired shots at their vessel, but the Venezia escaped. The attache has notified Halifax, Nova Scotia, that British cruisers are to make a search. It is believed that two submarines are accompanying the raiders. Later. The British Attache announces that he is unable to find any trace of any commerce raiders, and he disbelieves the report. BERLIN AND HAMBURG. GAIETY AND SHORT COMMONS. LONDON, May 8. The following descriptions of the Berlin and Hamburg districts by a neutral is absolutely accurate: Money is abundant, and there is work for all, but the whole population is on short rations in regard to many necessaries of life, causing infinite grumbling among the poor, who are heartily sick of the war, but who have no voice in determining German policy. The upper and middle classes are not suffering. The British blockade is now beginning to have some effect, and the Germans admit that they- feel great anxiety concerning the next two months. The Government is urging the people to hold out until July, when the harvest will be gathered. The harvest prospects are very great, but in general the crops have suffered through a lack of fertilisers. There is no sign of distress in Berlin, but bslow the surface some significant things are noticeable. Soup kitchens are being opened on a large scale, at which the posreit quality soup is served, its ingredient being chiefly potatoes. The diet of the poor consists largely of substitutes —iaccharine for sugar, imitation coffee, etc. Even the beer is adulterated, and the Bavarians especially are grumbling at the shortage of hops, and are demanding an inquiry into the brewing industry. The authorities are issuing washing soda cards, and are preparing to issue soup cards. There is plenty of gaiety in Berlin. Officers'fill the theatres. The women are -well dressed in Paris fashions, all attempts to introduce German fashions having absolutely failed. Numbers of wounded throng the public places. A novelty at the Easter races was a great display of Zeppelins and Taubes over the racecourse. Shakespeare celebrations have been in full swing. The people of Berlin dread trouble with America. Troop movements are largely in a western direction. The Germans have now not the slightest fear of the Russians. The Germans admit that Turkey has become embittered against Germany, and that the Turks are in a state of semistarvation. All the German soldiers met seemed to be absolutely confident that Germany had won the war. Hamburg is a desert. The good people of Hamburg and Bremen constantly oppose the retention of Antwerp, fearing injury to German ports. Prices in Hamburg are higher than in Berlin. It is well known that in Hamburg geese are selling at 40s each, while sugaT costs 5s a pound and coffee the same. String is being made out of paper. The best cuts of beef in Berlin are 6s a pound. The passport regulations stringently restrict the departure of rich Germans to Denmark or Switzerland. Three things prevent a national protest against the war—the Germans' extreme docility; the absence of the men at the front, making the organisation of protest difficult; and the belief that the Allies are everywhere on the defensive.