Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-02-16
Central Empires Are lIule
nOuished Economic Con.
diiions Bad
FOOD DISTRIBUTION Is
CAUSE OF ENDLESS GRAF
Won Hintlsnburg Thin On
Of Military Success--Gfeai
Efforts to be Made

(Cnlted Press starr correspondents wi
Ambassador Gerard
Paris, Feb. 16.--G Germany il nSde
nourished. Food and economic obnt
tions throughout the country are sica
lily growing worse. There il pbdle
graft in the food distribution plan. ri
empire Y transportation problems Are !
creasing.
But Field Marshal Won Hindenbnrg
plans 60 forward just the same ri
Hindenburg idea is coldly eaiculais
on the German army alone.
Under his plans the whole nation
concentrating TO strengthen ths army.
million women, commanded BY N0ms
officers, are projected to form a vast 1
dustrial force working for the fathe
iandaand replacing men needed for Il
army.
Requests for Food.
Americans who left Berlin with Ar
bassador Gerard were deluged wit
thousands OF requests for food fro
their supplies. One offer was 10 mari
(about $500 for a pound Of fats fro
the embassy store.
One German physician asked an AZ
erican family to give him hiss pay e
medical services in food--not il Mzone
II is jolsingly remarked in BsrIi
that there ought to be two new kline
Of asylums- meaning for thoss persol
crazy enough not to cheat IN ne foe
distribution system, and for those wi
are insane enough in their cheating /
cheat too much.
Influential Are Graftsrs
The police are powerlcss TO sta1 mo
of this graft. because il is the influei
tial Germans who are the greatest o
tenders But the graft does not ste
with the influential citizens. F0d
dealers interchange their wares. Frient
of magistrates get extra cards Foo
cards are stolen.
The recent cold spell in Germany I'll
most freezingly bitter weather Cleranal
has experienced in decades -ilestr0yf
large supplies. Quantities af mud
! priced potatoes and apples were .frbzeH
Transportation Troubles
Transportation troubles likewise al
multiplying the difficulties in d3styibl
tion Of supplies. Many schools, large o
fices and apartments in Berlin al
closed on account Of the lack of co.
through this transportation tieup an
l the frigidity Of offices in pafa1yzin
business.
Field Marshal Won Hindenbnyg doe
rot count the food and transport tito
difficulties of the people. He believe
In military victory. Aud he is hopin
to achieve that victory this yeaf--b,
fore it is necessary again 70 face th
socialists and other peace advocates.
/ In previous dispatches, the details {
how the socialists forced the kaiser I
make his peace proffer have been rela
ed.
The rejection Of the peace tern
quieted this movement. But Germa
leaders know the demand may CON
again.
Efforts Will Be Preponderous.
Therefore, Germany's efforts in 191
may be expected to exceed any hereti
fore because they win the nj
gtion 5 final attempt. The whole eAspil
is at work for this years struggle
Mobilization Of the women worker
is but one step. The feminine array {
million win step into places IF a
| possible civilian male workers. The WI
3 activities must aid in striking i
the enemy when the crisis arrives.
The plan was arranged By elsA wa
service bureau. The women wh8 v8lpl
teer first win be given preferential col
sideration ii the appointment - o
ficers. Certain women directors m5f |
sent to headquarters on the parios
fronts to direct their auxiliary ftfses