Evening star., 1917-12-30
NO men TO MARRY,
SAYS GERMAN MAID
Holland Gets an Insight Into
Economic and Social Condi-
tions in Central Empires.
BY w. L. KTEHL.


and Chicago Daily News.)
THE HAGUE. Holland. November %.
Although the recent German success
on east and south fronts might warrant
a different idea. the strain of the war
on the German people Is becoming well
nigh unbearable-at least that is the
impression one gets from what is seen
and heard in Holland of the woes, the
suffering the economic needs, the dis
content and hunger in Germany.
A few days ago a German girl who
had been staying in Holland several
weeks to recuperate had to return to
her own country because she would
soon become seventeen years old. Hol-
land fathers German children only UP
to that age. She was tearfully taking
leave of her kindly Dutch mother"
who pressed her to remain a little
longer II she felt SO bad about going.
NO" sobbed the girl Il must go
now, for have to take an examination
to qualify as teacher
why bother about examination or a
career now~ asked the hostess. You
are SO charming that you are sure to
get married soon.
"There Are No More Men"
But the German girl burst into tears
and cried, "Ach nein. in Deutschland
giebt es keine maenner mehr" Tin Ger
many there are no more men).
Then suddenly she stopped, flushed
painfully and added: II should not have
said that We are not allowed to speak
about conditions in the fatherland."
The privations of the people in large
towns have indeed assumed terrible pro-
portions, although lately 1t seems that
more food has been distributed because
Of the growing discomfort of the popu-
lace and the hopes Of the government
places in Germany that form of dysen-
tory called "ruhr'' is making great havoc
In Goch, a small place close to the Linz
burg border. there are 200 cases. and
the illness, which is infectious. has
spread to the Dutch place Siebengewald,
close by. where 1t is also claiming many
victims. The disease is induced by in
sufficient and indigestible food.
Aged Die in Bavaria.
In Bavaria, where conditions are bet
ter. there is still great need Of light
nourishfng foods. The relatives in Hol-
land OF an aged couple living In one Of
the Bayarian towns recently received
the bad tidings that the old couple had
died of starvation, because they had
been unable TO digest the "ersatz" fsub-
stitute) stun that was being rationed
out in Germany. They had been Ill
ever since the beginning of last winter
and the lack of fuel added greatly to
their suffering. Yet these people be-
longed to the we'll to do group. 1t is
thought that this winter fuel will be
even more scarce in Germany, for ow
ing to lack of labor and transport the
mines cannot produce the usual guam
tity of coal and Notwithstanding its
own pressing need. Germany is now
forced to export coal to Holland in re-
turn for certain foodstuffs that are
even more greatly needed The aged.
the very young and the sick suffer
more from these conditions. Doctors
hesitate to perform otherwise neces-
sary operations upon civilian patients
| because there is not obtainable the re-
quired strengthening foods such as
eggs and milk to sustain the sufferer
after tho operation.
Business Circles Critical.
Now and again news leaks through
| of grave dissatisfaction, especially in