The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-03-22
FOUNTAIN INN MAN ON U-BOAT.
DIR. j. G. Peden Tells of Expedition in
German War Zone.


has been in Germany for the past
six months. returning to South Caro-
lima only few days ago. DR.. Pedell
is the son of A. S. Peden, of Foun-
tain Inn.. and was in the city yes
terday from Fountain Inn.
DR.. Peden left Germany on the
18th of January, leaving Copenhagen
and coming over on the Frederick
Sth, the same boat on which Count
Won Bernstorff returned to Europe.
On the first day out from land, he
said that the boat was held up by a
German submarine, but upon finding
the name and destination of the ship
it was allowed to proceed. Two float
ing mines were seen, both of these
being in the North Sea.
Since leaving New York, last Aug
ust, DR.. Peden has been stationed in
Naumberg, which is about three
hours ride out of Berlin. He was
unaccompanied by any Americans al
though a number of American sur
geons were in the same camp, all be-
ing engaged in the work of further
caring for the wounded. The hos
pital in which DR.. Peden was sta
toned was about a Is hour ride from
the Western front. Only the mill
tary authorities were allowed to visit
the front, the civilians not being ac-
corded that privilege.
In speaking of the conditions
which prevail in the interior of the
German empire, DR.. Peden said that
women had largely supplanted men
in all the railway work, while the
shops were operated exclusively by
the women and old men,. Women
were even employed in the munition
shops, he stated, every one lending a
willing hand to aid the cause of the
"Fatherland." Food was selling at
figure slightly above normal, all
prices and amounts being regulated
by the government. Food tickets,
or markets as they were called,
are issued by the government, these
requiring that certain amount of
food be allowed to each individual.
Only on two days in the week, said
DR.. Peden, are the civilians allowed
to eat meat.
"And they carry out this law to
the letter." said the speaker. This,
he said, was largely due to the spirit
of patriotism which predominates in
that country. Luxuries and such
things as the government officials do
not deem as necessary and essential
to maintaining life are sold at a
high figure. AS all example, DR..
Peden said that grape fruit was sell
ing at the enormous price of eleven
marks or about $2.75 in American
money.
Asked as to the general know
ledge among the German population
as to the progress of the war, DR..
Peden stated that all news was cen
sored and that as consequence only
the favorable side was reported in
the German press; reverses if they
occurred, were never spoken of in
the public prints. In this way, the
civil population was confident of
victory, believing that Germany
would yet triumph over the allies.
While many were not confident of a
sweeping victory, all seemed to think
that the worst that could come was
a draw in which treaty could be
arranged and Germany not lose any
territory.
DR.. Peden left the German empire
before the break of the relations be-
tween that country and the United
States occurred, hence he was not in
a position to say anything as to the
recent developments. There was a
feeling among some in Berlin, he
said, that a break, was not far off
and that many Americans were try
ing to get out of the country. On
the return trip DR.. Peden was ac-
companied by other physicians, all
of whom were sent out by the Ameri-
can Physicians Expedition, of New
York. They were among the few
who have been in the war-stricken
part of Germany ana have recently
returned to this country.
DR.. Peden expects to leave the lat
ter part of this week for Philadel-
phia, where he will be located in the
future.-Greenville News.