The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-02-01
IN THE FATHERLAND
INTERESTING BITS OF NEWS.
FROM THE GREAT GERMAN
EMPIRE.
WHAT'S DOING IN OLD HOME
Summary of the Most Important Hap
penlngs In the Land of the Kaiser
Timely Items for the German
Readers.

come known in Off cial circles. While
they are not looking for peace to come
to them within the next few months,
they say they are prepared now for
the war to last still three more years,
yet German diplomats feel that they
must be ready with all their argu-
ments and propositions the moment
peace negotiations are actually to be-
gin. Germany has learned that Great
Britain, France and Russia will insist
that it was Germany which started
the war, and for that reason alone she
should not be entitled to any advan-
tages in connection with peace propos-
ais. Germany is prepared to meet
this issue with a general and positive
denial, and a document has been pre-
pared to that effect by the German
government showing that Germany
never did seek war with her neigh
bors, but tried to the last to maintain
the peace Of Europe.
Director Klingenberg of the General
Electric company has announced the
perfection of an electromagnetic
hand with which it is possible to
grasp the heaviest metal objects and
work with them advantageously as
with human hands. Doctor Klingen-
berg has evolved an unusually power
full battery which can be carried by
the operator, making it unnecessary to
be near an electric current to mag
netize the hand" The invention, it
is said, can perform all the functions
of the human hand, and others besides.
The current is regulated by switch
operated by hand or foot. 1t is hoped
the invention will solve the problem of
livelihood for many crippled soldiers,
enabling them to engage even in
trades requiring considerable physical
exertion.
On the outskirts of Berlin is a IA
nous trotting track, the Ruhleben
Rennbahn, with it's clubhouses, grand
stands and stables There is no racing
there today. Since the beginning Of
the war Ruhleben has been turned in
British civilians are interned there,
and they will remain until peace Is
proclaimed once more. 1t is a remark
able place. Self-government has been
and no soldiers are on
guard duty inside this encampment.
Armed guards are stationed outside Of
the old race track fences and ordinary
wire barriers surround the camp. 9th
erwise it is practically unprotected
from the escape of prisoners.
A furniture factory in Hallerau,
which before the war devoted itself
to the manufacture of art furniture,
but finds it's market dead during the
war; has started the manufacture of
shoes without leather. These are not
the wooden shoes Of the Dutch and
South German peasant, but a substi-
tute for the usual leather shoe. The
uppers are made of gray or black wa
linen sailclOth, and the soles
are built up of layers of wood veneer
glued together with waterproof glue,
the process making a flexible, water
proof sole which follows the shape of
the arch of the foot.
Several Socialists recently were
awarded the Ludwig Cross by King
Ludwig of Bavaria for specially meri-
torious services performed in the
hour Of their country's need. The So
cialists fully recognized the friendly
spirit which prompted the kings act.
and thanked him cordially for the dis
tinction, but declined the decoration
because they considered acceptance Of
it incompatible with the principles of
their party as officially expressed in
resolutions.
Count Won Bernstorf, the German
made a protest to the
state department against the action OF
he British authorities in Selling the
belongings and papers of
Captain Won Papen, the recalled mill
airy attache of the German embassy
Upon his arrival at Falmouth. It is
complained that the act was in viola
ion of the safe conduct assurances
given to Captain Won Papen by the
allied powers.
The German foreign office believes
hat any announcement regarding the
lnal settlement Of the Lusitania case
s slightly premature. Negotiations
ire still pending but there is not the
slightest doubt expressed that a set
cement will be reached in the immedi-
lte future.
The Austrian government has noti-
led the state department in Washing
on that after a full investigation it
las been unable to determine how the
British steamer Persia was sunk. Aus
rian Charge Erich Zwiedinek is said
% have placed this information be-
ore Secretary Lansing.
France has declined, "for military
to permit shipments of con-
lensed milk by charitable organiza-
ions in the United States to Germany
md Austria-Hungary for use of the
,abies of those countries.
The German government has been
compelled to reduce the daily allow
lnce of bread for each person from
light to seven ounces. The new ra-
ion is return to the measure intro