Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-03-12
DESCENT on GANBL ERS DISTRESS IN GERMANY
People on the Verge of Starvation
And Soldiers DESERVING And Enter
ing Holland.

Amsterdam, March l2.-The from
tier correspondent of the Telegram
has interviewed great number of
Germans, VINO all gave a sad descrip-
ton of the situation in Germany.
Fifty per cent of all the town people
are said to be suffering from cardi-
aleia (heartburn). A terribly high
percentage of children are dying, es-
pecially in Berlin.
The scarcity of milk is especially
great in densely populated districts.
/ One informant says that it is untrue
that the scarcity is only in towns, and
that the suffering in rural districts
is just as great. The potato famine
prevails everywhere. At Dortmund
the potato ration during the last six
weeks has been reduced to three
pounds a head a week. The scarcity
of food in Germany has reached such
pitch that the soldiers in Goch,
Cleve and Vessel go to the houses Of
the inhabitants asking for slices OF
bread wherewith to appease their
hunger. Almost every day German
soldiers desert into Holland. Recently
on one day $50 came over the from
tier
The Hague, March 12.-Further
extracts from the speech of the soei-
alst deputy, Herr Hofer, during the
sensational food debate in the Prus-
sian diet are printed in the Berlin
Vorwerts. The Voerwaerts quotes
Herr Hofer as saying.
The government vacillates between
fear of the Agrarians and fear of the
masses like a reed in the wind. If
you insist on carrying on war you
must see that the people are ade-
quatolv fed. Does it not suffice for
the government to incur the hatred
of the whole world or do they also
want revolution at home? The
people have been fed on fine words
long enough; We demand deeds"
London, March IA prominent
American who has just reached Eng
land from Holland states that there
has been an extraordinary nAniber
of deserters from the German af.Hy
within the last few weeks.
"The German soldiers" he declared,
complain bitterly of lack of food and
the fresh hardships and, privations
which they are called on to bear. they
make no secret of their desire for
peace. and state, among other things,
that disaffecton is rapidly spread
ing among the rark and file of the
German army on the western front.
| gathered that the Germans greatly
fear nauntiny when the British start
new offensive"
London, March 12.-It is reported
that the new minister of war in Ba-
varia has declared in a speech that
the most extreme measures will be
employed soon to suppress discomfort
in the army.
The German military authorities
are understood to be confronted with
widespread sulenness, even ten
dency to mutiny, or to surrender on
the least provocation. This is pro-
foundly affecting the morale OF the
German armies.
Washington, March 12.-Germany's
financial system is staggering to the
point of collapse. This, coupled with
growing shortage Of food that
pinches more and more, is gradually
squeezing out the endurance of the
German nation and bringing the end
of the war nearer. These facts are
revealed by information in possession
of this Government. This informa-
ton. tending to verify the meager
news of approaching starvation COM
ing out of Germany, stresses the
financial side more than the food sit
uation.
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AT the Richmond / onight.