Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-22
ITALY JOINED
ALLIES FEARING
FOOD BLOCKADE
EngIand's Control of Gibraltar
and Suez Gave Her Mastery,
Says Bertram Won Damn

can war are thrown on the Stde OF
the Allies not because Of any love for
France or England. not for any hatred
of Germ my, but because Italy and all
the Mediterranean countries are con-
trolled by the British fortresses at
Gibraltar and the SueZ canal. Italy
had no recourse open out To throw in
her hat with England, or he starved. >
This is the opinion OF Bertram Won
Damn, manager OF the insurance de-
paTtment Of Hackfeld & Company
who arrived In Honolulu on the Mat.
sonia this morning. fresh from the
scenes OF the war struggles OF Europe.
Mr. Won Damn left Honolulu Is
months ago for a business trip I'm
European countries When war broke
out he was in Germany. hut went 10
Christiania. Norway, after the Ger
man cables were cut by the British,
and acted as q relay for messages to
and from Hackfeld & Company of
this city -. ~:
Il actually believe" says Mr.. Won
Damn. that Italy would have kept
her alliance with Austria and Ger
many had It not been for Englanh's
control OF the Mediterranean. The
Italians were on, the fence until they
were sure which side would net them
the most gain, and then they jumped.
The war Is to Italy one OF CONNER
cial expansion. Their armies are well
equipped. and the italian navy will
Z count In the Mediterranean; bu;
italy's entrance into the war field on
the side Of the Allies will only pro-
long the eventual German victory"
Mr.. Won Damn returned TO America
, by way OF Italy, sailing from Naples
five days before war was declared be-
tween Italy and Germany. He says
that the tremendous drive against the
. Russians, which has been successful
for the last few weeks, would have
been finished a month ago but for
Italy.
Germany feels natural resent.
ment toward the United States. ire.
spectiRe OF President Wilson's note on
the Eusitania's sinking by German
submarine" says Mr.. Won Damn
III asked the reason for this feel.
ing, any German would reply. We
send our brothers, our husbands and
cur fathers out to be shot with Ameri
can bullets. What other feeling could
We entertain save one Of resentment
toward the nation which prevented an
esrly ending OF this terrible WARP
But for American ammunition In the
hands OF the Allies the war would
have been over six months ago"
is IL true" Mr. Won Damn was
asked, s'that the schools of Berlin eel !
ebrated by declaring holiday when |
the Isnsitania was sunk?'
THAT is perfectly absurd" an
swered the returned Honolulau The |
German people grieved as much over
the loss OF human life on the Lust |
tania as any other people, hut Ger |
msny was forced to submarine war
fare by the British blockade. Does
Engiand think she can cut OF the food |
supply OF a modern nation without |
struggle from the millions of people |
threatened with Starvation"
The Internal conditions OF Germany |
are entirely controlled by the govern |
nientr explains Mr.. Won Damn. THE |
same thorough system which makes |
the gigantic strategy OF the German |
army possible prevails at home where |
the principal problem is the preserva. |
tion OF the food supply. - ~
Every one In Germany is issued |
bread coupon book every month, saws |
Mr.. Won Damn. sThe kaiser has /
one. Just as has the laborer and the |
lpeasant Each person is allowed just |
so much bread every month, and no
more. Every available foot of ground |
- growing Its share Of grain or veg
etables. Where once roses and other /
ficwers bloomed in the parks, yards |
or empty lots, there is now growing I
wheat and corn. The one thought of |
the German people is victory
Mr.. Won Damn preferred not to !
speak upon Norway's attitude toward |
Gcrmany's submarine warfare and /
the sinking Of Norwegian ships by |
German torpedoes. He says every
German forecasts German victory I
ultimately, on the ground that Ger. /
man arms have proved superior thus
far, and that the end is only a ques,
ton of time. 81
Leaving Norway late in April Mr..
Won Damn travelled through Germany
and Switzerland to Italy. Had he re-
manned in the north FIVE days longer /
he probably would have been held in |
Halys The Italian troops were already
mobilizing on the northern frontier.
The air was charged with war excite.
ment, but he managed to sail before
the actual declaration of war was
made.
Mr.. Won Damn finds much business
piled up on his desk and will be kept
busy for some time settling back into
Honolulu's business circles. He was
met at the dock by many friends who
were eager for first hand news of the
war and Of relatives in Germany.
a0RA I