The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-21
BABIES STARVE
IN THE STREETS
Neutral Traveller Paints Harrow
ing Picture of PitifuI Con-
ditionS in Vienna.
ONLY THE WEALTHY GET FOOD
Men, Women and Children Succun,b
to Hunger and Want-GIoom and
Depression Weigh Heavily
on People.

LondOn.-Fr0m a neutral who has
spent prolonged periods in Austria
Hungary several times since the war
a Berne correspondent learns that
never has the Austrian capital been
IN such plight as now. Men, women
and even children lately have sue
cumbed to hunger and want, and he is
assured that children have been lit-
orally dying in the streets. Nowhere
Is there enough to eat, he says. except
among the wealthy classes and the
well-to-do farmers. The organization
for the distribution of provisions is
wretched. despite the fact that 'Peo-
pies Food Office" has existed in Wen
ma since December 1 last.
According to the organ of the Whole
sale Purchasing Association of Aus
trian Consumers associations. prices
have risen, taking Austria as a whole.
by 1O4.67 per cent since the war be-
gan, but in Vienna proportionately far
more. 1t is not merely that all neces-
sites have become so exceedingly ex-
pensive, but that they are not procur-
able. The few who have money still
contrfve TO purchase enough. but the
great majority who have not money
either go constantly hungry or depend
on public kitchens, which since their
creation have supplied the poorer
classes in Vienna alone with 3S.253.S15
meals. at total cost of about S.
165 900.
474,3o0 Dependents.
AT the end of 1916 there were also
IN Vienna alone, 474,3OO persons in
receipt of government relief-grants
Oh assistance-in other words, about
one in four Of the entire population of
the Austrian capital. These govern
ment grants since the start of the war
until the end of last year had reached
me sum of S50,0O0,000, besides which
there is large number of destitute
refugees in Vienna who have cost the
state since the war began S11.625 900.
And yet the burgermeister of Vienna
has just been warning the public that
hey must be prepared for worse times
'ul to come in the next two months.
Inc clothing question. especially the
problem of how to provide any kind
II boots or shoes, is almost as difFicult
# solution as the food question. Ac-
reSSeS and others, who before the
var went about in elegant fanciful
hoes, now are glad TO wear any cast
III footgear, or even clothing, they can
,et. as also are many girls and women
arning their living in offices.
Even more acute is the fuel question
n Austria-Hungary.
Inc gloom and depression of Wen
a, In short, with its restricted tram
ervlce, restricted electric lighting
ven In private houSes-limited gas
consumption and, worst of all, restrict
q heating, with degree Of cold sell
ON experienced, is so distressing that
he neutral who tells this story said
he had not been able to leave he
'ould have lost his reason.
The hospitals, public and private.
re all overfilled, and death is reaDiug
roportiOnately as great a harvest
mong the civilian population as
nong the soldiers at the front.
In Vienna, and, indeed, In all the
irge numbers of houses and business
remiseS TO let. Moreover. as little
as possible is done, because
ais has become so costly owing to the
hortage of labor, of vans and of
orses. In many cases young married
'omen have returned to live with their
arents, or several women friends have
dubbed together to take flat or house.
is not dwellings alone, however.
hieh are everywhere to let, but rows
business premises, shops. etc, also
re standing empty.
The fifth Austrian war loan. which
as to have closed on January 10 last
nd which before that date was an
ounced as so brilliant a financial sue
asS, has not yet been closed, and the
anks in Switzerland are being mum
ated with circulars, some of them
larked confidential" and issued by
he Vienna Banking association. offer
lg all manners of Inducements to the
WlSS fly to walk into the Austrian
plder'S parlor. There is not = single
Wlss managed bank in Switzerland
mch has been tempted by these re-
Grated offers of Austrian war loan
lock Austria, as a matter of fact
already bankrupt. Her government
oeS not allow any money to leave the
ountry, even to pay for goods pur-
hased in Switzerland since the war.