OUT OF HELL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 167, 20 April 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUT OF HELL.

LIFE ON RATIONS DRIVING GERMANS FRANTIC.

"Are we downhearted? Heavens no!'' These were the words of greet ing with which fifty English girls expelled from Germany arrived in Holland one Sunday evening rece'itly. Tl\ii was the first batch of the so-c«lled "reprisal women" who, the Berlin author it.es have decided, are eating too muef bread, meat, ana butter, and whoa they decided to send home. There an still some 6-30 British women in Berlin who will follow in due coarse.

One of thj girls gave a true picture of the actual conditions in Benin after eighteen months of war, a truly dismal picture, which is most copeful for the Al'ios. "Germans now Know what they arc up against," she said. "They are already suffering agonies, especially the poor people. "they know, in spite of the lying press, that their sufferings are merely beginning, and they are preparing themselves for more suffering until their rulers are forced to recognise that the limit of enc.uranco nas l>een reached, and then sue for peace. This, however, is not likely to happen before manv months."

Berlin presents a more dejected appearance now than ever in die course of the city's history. The streets are empty. The absence of men is a noticeable feature ol the town's aspect. The only thought of the people is: — " When is the blessed war going to eiidr"'

The Germans are ready to bear the Dnuncial luss and also tuj appalling losses in men, but the Me on rations is simply driving them uisuiie. The, bread cards at hrst amused Item like children, as one more opporti nity, or which they are so loud, tor obeying orders. Mow they have butter cards, tut cards, and ju some places petroleum cards.

Living lor two days weekly witlioufresh meat and paying as a pjund tor rice and lid cadi ior eggs are onty instances of the food tlouo'es. The German hausliaus liarconips are still not compensated by news ol .. decisive victory.

The reports uf the rioting may nava been exaggerated abroad, but everybody knew in Berlin, though everybody was prudent enough not to mention it. that women circled the Kaiser's palace recently howling for bread. The police quelled the not. Tins was not. the first timo that the usual Prussian method of persuasion was employed.

When the Kaiser returnee, to Berlin last tune from the army headquarters, the hour of his arrival was kept from the public, and in fact, a wrong time was announced. The Kaiser arrived two hours earlier and at a dilfeient station, as a demonstration and a possible attempt on his life were feared, and the Berlin police were not willing to take any chances. 'We have been expelled, but not one of us knows why," said the Englishwomen. "Many of us had' positions there as governesses and secretaries, and .so on. One day we got notice that we had to leave. Each of us received a visit from a policeman, sometimes accompanied by a locksmith, who proceeded to search all our The wildest questions were asked, esjM.'cially whether some of our relatives were lighting. "No consideration was shown for the sick. One woman who travelled with us was seriously ill; she askew to bo allowed to stay, but her request was naturally not granted. Later the Germans treated us politely; they gave us a good train, on which we had dinner. We had great fun, as some gins brought some champagne for the trip. It made us feel so happy to bo allowed to speak English once more. "Finally, we reached Holland, where we found two tilings we hao not seen for months, freedom and white bread. Wo all feel just out of hell, though most of us lost good jobs, and have to start afresh in life. We considered ourselves the happiest people in the world the minute we saw the last spke-heli.iet in Germany."