New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-13
People Want While
Provisions Go to
Feed Armies
DAILY POTATO
RATION is CUT
Many Food Staples Dis
appear from the
Markets

Stockholm, Jan. 20.-Food condi-
tions in Germany have changed
greatly for the worse in the last
five months. The correspondent of
The Associated Press, who had been
away from Germany since the first
week in August, has just returned
from a stay Of three weeks in Ber-
lin. He found that many staples of
food had altogether disappeared
from the markets. others had grown
so dear that they are beyond the
reach of any but the well to do, the
daily allowance of potatoes had been
reduced to ten ounces. and that
either a shortage of flour or a dis
ordered distribution Of it among the
bakers had resulted in long queues
of buyers standing for hours in
front of the bakeries.
Maximum prices of the foodstuffs
controlled by the government are
still very low for potatoes and bread
and comparatively low for meats.
Potatoes cost only " cents the
standard bushel of sixty pounds, and
bread little less than 81 cents a
pound. But the potato allowance
is insufficient for people who have
little but bread and potatoes to eat,
and they have to exc out with tur-
nips.
One.Egg Allowance Stopped
It had been hoped to allow one
egg per person each two weeks IN
greater Berlin. but the last one-egg
allowance was made some five weeks
ago. and another is not promised
until February. When the CORE
spondent left Berlin, in August, 1t
was still possible to buy cheese
Since the end of August there has
been no cheese on the market. 1t
is said that considerable quantities
are being imported from Holland
but it goes apparently to the front
except for small quantities allowed
Tho restaurants and hotels.
Another serious reduction of avail
able foodstuffs has been the eXproprla-
ton for control BY the government OF
all canned vegetables. Four or hve
weeks ago the dealers were permitted
% sell a fractional part Of their STOCK
but only two cans on each bread caro-
Permission to sell further part IS eA-
nocted 10 be granted again soon, but
tbe dealers are to be compelled to open
each can before selling it so as to force
,ho buvers 10 consume il at once and
not hoard IL.
The weekly allowance of meat OF All
kinds in the greater Berlin municipall-
ties runs from five and one-quarter 10
eight and quarter ounces Inc
cbeanest varieties cost about 90 cents
a Mound. the dearest 72 cents.
Fats and Oils Lacking
Ono of the most serious deprivatlons
continues TO be the lack OF rats ana
o;Is The weekly allowance of butter
and margarine together is little less
than three ounces per head. OIL IS so
oynensive that il is out OF the reach
of The great majority. The correspond.
ont maid s312 for about two-thirds OF
- nint Of hazelnut oil TO be used LOT
fryino Goose fat costs $3.50 per can
81 seventeen and three-hfths ounces
ord is the only fat. except vegetable
oils. that can be bought without caro-.
This insuficiency Of fats in the daily
-otion shows itself in an almost con-
tinnous feeling of hunger. The cor,
experiencing this hlmseii
in the first days Of his VISIT remarked
on il. u.;d .ba
person addressed.
Extending his Investigations, the cor
heard similar expressions
from all sides. The bitterest COM
plants come from soldiers az nome
When the writer last visited the 'front.'
in July. the mems rations were ample
in every respect, and there IS no reason
20 believe the same is not true to-day
,Tbe soldier at home thus notices the
d;Eerence more keenly than do those
who have had gradually to aecustom
themselves TO one deprivation after
another.
Deadly Monotony'-in Meals
There is a deadly monotony about the
meals in the average household. Break
fast generally consists OF rolls mar,
malade loften made of pumpkins ana
q decoction of roasted acorns, rye
cbicorv and what not that goes by the
rame OF coffee. There is no real'conee
left Some tea at high prices IS still to
no had. but the poorer people drink the
brew OF linden blossoms, raspberry
leaves or leaves of other shrubs or
trees For the second breakfast"
there is dry bread.
Dinner generally consists OF boiled
potatoes with salt. some kind OF boiled
and, on perhaps two day OF
The week, a tiny piece OF meat. fish
takes the place OF meat on other days
unless one can buy a goose At Sl.oo
mound (they cost 81 a pound Just before
a duck AZ Sl.4i pound, a
turkey at S132 a pound or hen AT
81 .Os 10 SI.2O a pound. Comparatively
little game comes on the markets, ap-
parently going 70 the hotels and res