The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. RIOTS IN GERMANY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15195, 16 April 1917, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1917. RIOTS IN GERMANY.

That the internal affairs of Germany are causing the authorities great anxiety is evident from recent cables, which have reported renewed disorders and riots in various parts of the country. An Amsterdam correspondent last week stated that the authorities feared the trouble would become general, and this view was supported by a statement in the Voerwarts, to the effect that the reduced bread ration which was to become operative from yesterday, was causing increasing tension. The paper urges patience till the harvest, but the atrfchorities deem it necessary to take extraordinary measure's to cope with the situation, including the installation of machine-guns at important points' in some streets. In connection with these uprisings, light is thrown on the matter bv a lady writer who contributes to- the Nation an interesting account of her visit to Germany last year, when there was serious rioting in Hamburg and other cities. In May, 1915, she spent ten days in Berlin., Then English could not be spoken with" comfort. Flushed and angry looks were the result. Bvb-m tie oceanba. «£ her visit las*

year English was tolerated. Occasionally, eyes followed her questioningly; the official class resented it, but the people were ahvays friendly. A year ago there was bitter hatred of America. ''American bullets" were flung in one's face everywhere. But a few months ago the average person waa pathetically eager to be friends. "Slowly the people are awakening. For months the newspapers fed them on the triumphs of Germany and the perfidy of other nations. But these stories of glorious German victories have resulted in—what? A lean and barren country, un-der-nourishment, death, the hatred of other nations. The people begin to doubt their leaders.". Proceeding, the writer says: Germany was too sure of triumph to think in terms of years. But now conditions have changed. The assurance and arrogance have vanished. In their place is a dull resignation. All life is centred on mere existence. The wounded who have come back have gone to work. Waggons carrying supplies and old patched taxis returned from the front move upon the streets. The necessaries of life must be had. Berlin, the seat of government, must secure them. So on the surface there is bustle and action, and life somewhat resembles the normal. But it is a queer, limited, down-at-the-heel activity. People are upon the streets, but the stores are nearly empty. There is a shortage of things to buy. The very rich still purchase, but cheap things are only to <>e had with Government cards. That is the tragedy of Germany—the sore spot that festers. The pinch has come, and the rich nrotect themselves at the expense of the poor. Before the war, under a benevolent paternalism, the people grew round of girth. Replete with good food and flowing beer, feet and brains lagged . It is hard to be discontented and progressive when the stomach is full and the land flows with railk and honey. But with suffering a new race is emerging—a lean race with active minds that Kevins, to question German autocracy and militarism.

The visit above alluded to was paid to Germany months ago, and since then conditions have gone from bad to worse. The correspondent was informed that food became shorter in spring, when the potatoes gave out and before the harvest was gathered in, and she predicted that when there when there were no potatoes in 1917 there would be further riots: bhe people would be driven together in a campaign of desperation and horror. The prediction is oeing fulfilled.' THE TALK OF PEACE. The same writer also throws a sidelight on the peace agitations in Germany. She says: One night we went to a big meeting. It was under the auspices of the major wing of the Social Democratic Party. The Liebknecht people are not allowed to hold meetings in Munich euy more than in Berlin. But peace meetings, in spite of restrictions, are popular. The military authorities see to it that the pea<-c terms asked for are confined to demands of the status quo before war. No discussion is allowed. At this meeting there were perhaps two thousand people. It was held in a great hall. Both the floors and the galleries were packed. People stood about the sides of the room and in the aisled. Men predominated. Even soldiers in uniform were present.. My friends and I sat near the front. Except for our group, the a-udience was made up chiefly of factory workers. It was a keen, alert crowd. The faces wore thoughtful and showed much character. These people were not sheep—-Ihcy were fighters. There was muer suppressed emotion, frequent applause, and cheers. The speaker said: "The days of 'Gott strafe England' are over. We hope the time will soon come when Germans will no longer be called 'Barbaras' and 'Bodies.' Perhaivs this can best be brought about by promoting the cause of pea«e. It is certainly distressing to find other nations hating Germany It will be difficult to carry on tr?dc after the war. There will be no work for the worker-?. It is essential that peace be made as boon as possible. When it come, perhaps enmity will cease. Witness how Austria and

Germany had overlooked differences and come together—(laughter)—and how friendly Prussia and Bavaria now are." (Long derisive laughter, which stopped the speech for,a few moments.) The speaker then went on to discuss economic conditions. He spoke of the suffering of the poor, and said: "The Government has wholly failed to live up to its promise that women and children should be cared for, and not suffer when their men went to war." He then spoke of von Hollweg, and praised him for his peace talk; denounced the policy of frightfulness; and read the peace proposals, which provided for peace on the basis of the status quo before the war. Several urged more liberal terms, but the audience seemed to think those urging such were averse to peace, and the crowd became angry. Nearly everyone voted for peace on the terms suggested.