Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-11
An Impartial Report
OF Internal Germany.

vi IIILEIILNL OCI ULuH y
Opinions and reports regarding Germanys in
ternal condition under the stress of have been
divergent that it is peculiarly satisfying to hear
the story of a keen and impartial observer who
has studied at first hand all phases and elements
of the country's life. Such a story is told
in the New York World by its staff correspondent,
Mr. Gustav c. Roeder, who recently returned from
a tour through the German Empire and who now
describes with convincing planness the situation
he found it, His account is the more interesting
because of the fact that he performed the same
mission last February and thus is able to note
whatever changes the interval has brought to pass
His most vivid impression is that Germany is
far from economic or human exhaustion end will
fight resolutely to the end. Seventeen months of
war have told upon the peoples habits and de-
meanor, but not upon their courage faith. Last
spring, says this correspondent, there prac-
tically no evidences that the Empire engaged
in bitter struggle. Today the visitor at once real
ICES that he is in a country whose utmost strength
is being exerted against encircling foes. The peo-
pie are more serious, frugal and also more
steeIed to any sacrifice that may be required.
AS to the food supply, Mr.. Roeder finds that
while there is marked shortage of meats, butter
and milk. the Germans are learning stricter and
stricter economy Food prices have advanced fifty
or even a hundred per cent some items, and
there have been popular outbreaks which were
reported abroad food riots. These demonstra-
tions were due principally, the correspondent says
Ito the fact that wholesalers refused to sell their
provisions for a long time until high market rate
had been established; of these men were
arrested and sent to prison for specializing in food
products. Now that the Government has fixed
prices in general the trouble is apparently ended"
In describing the measures adopted to conserve the
food supply, Mr.. Roeder says:
"In Berlin you cannot get piece of bread
unless you are in possession of bread card,
except at railway stations. There, in most
depot restaurants the waiter will ask you for
your railway ticket If you possess that you
can have all the bread you willing to pay
for but you must eat it the premises and
not take it away. Meatless and fatless
days have been decreed, and much less meat
is consumed now than last spring. Of course,
this regulation does not apply to the army.
Twice a week-Tuesdays and Fridays-no
meat is served to the citizen population any
where in Germany. Restaurants are not al
lowed to sell roast boiled or stewed meat
game, fowl or any other such dishes Mon
days and Thursdays. 1t is furthermore for
hidden to sell pork in restaurants on Satur-
days"
Among war materials, we are told, there is a
shortage of "copper" cotton, gasoline and rubber but
chemists and electrical engineers are devising sub
stitutes for many necessities which formerly
imported AS to the facts concerning Germany's
financial condition and her reserve of fighting men,
the Worlds correspondent was dependent, of
course, on the statements of German authorities,
and those statements naturally we're of a confident
tone But the spirit of the people, their stanch
and hopeful professionalism willingness to con-
tinue sacrificing for the fatherland-this
matter of his own observation.
Everybody is wishing for peace he
writes, "but nobody wants peace unless it is
in favor of Germany and fulflls the demands
she may make upon her enemies.
In the light of this report, it is not to be ex-
pected that the war will end soon from Germany's
economic moral exhaustion. Though completely
locked in from commerce with the outer world,
she is sustaining her armies and her civil popula-
ton. Though surrounded with powerful foes, she
is unwavering purpose and faith. 1t may be that
some German officials dubious of the future;
certainly, the more thoughtful among them are far
soberer in their claims and predictions than they
were at the outset But evidently the spirit of the
German people is as yet undaunted; and the
Allies are no less determined, the will be
fought grimly to a conclusion.
bo. nc battar iudo