Norwich bulletin., 1917-02-13


 dence of The Associated Press) Food conditions in Germany have changed greatly for the worse in the last five months. The correspondent of The Associated Press, who had been away from Germany since the first week in August, has just returned from a stay of three weeks in Berlin. He found that many staples of food had alto gether disappeared from the markets, others had grown so dear that they are beyond the reach of any but the we'll to-do, the daily allowance of potatoes had been reduced to ten ounces, and that either a shortage of four or a disordered distribution of it among the makers had resulted in long lines of buyers standing for hours in front of the bakeries
 Prices Are Low.
 Maximum prices of the foodstuffs controlled by the government are still very low for potatoes and bread and comparatively low for meats. Potatoes cost only 72 cents the standard bushel of so pounds, and bread a little less than 3 1-2 cents a pound. But the po- tato allowance is insufficient for people who have little but bread and potatoes to eat and has to be eked out with turnips.
 One Egg Every Five Weeks.
 It had been hoped to allow one egg per person each two weeks in Greater Berlin, but the last one-egg allowance was made some five weeks ago and another is not promised until Febru- ary. When the correspondent left Der lin in August it was still possible to buy cheese. Since the end of August there has been no cheese on the mar ket. It is said that considerable quan- titles are being imported from Holland, but it goes apparently to the front, except for small quantities allowed the restaurants and hotels.
 Canned Vegetables Short.
 Another serious reduction of avail able foodstuffs has been caused by the appropriation for control by the gov ernment of all canned vegetables. Four or five weeks ago the dealers were permitted to sell a fractional part of bread-card. Permission to sell a fur ther part is expected to be granted again soon, but the dealers are to be compelled to open each can before sell ing it, so as to force the buyers to con sume it at once and not hoard 1t.
 The weekly allowance of meat of all kinds in the greater Berlin municipal ities runs from If to 3-4 ounces The cheapest varieties cost about so cents a pound; the dearest 72 cents.
 Lack of Fats and Oils.
 One of the most serious deprivations continues to be the lack of fats and oils. The weekly allowance of butter and margarine together is a little less than three ounces per head. oil is so expensive that it is out of the reach of the great majority. The Associated Press correspondent paid $3.12 for about two-thirds of a pint of hazel nut oil to be used for frying. Goose fat costs S4.S0 per can of IT 3-5 ounces, and is the only fat, except vegetable oils, that can be bought without a card.
 This insuniciency of fats in the daily ration shows itself in an almost con- tinuous feeling of hunger. The core spondent, experiencing this himself in it.
 Hungry All the Time"
 q feel hungry all the time," said the person addressed.
 Extending his investigations, the heard similar express come from soldiers at home. When the writer last visited the front, in July, the mems rations were ample in every respect, and there is no reason to believe the same is not true today The soldier at home thus notices the difference more keenly than do those who have had gradually to accustom themselves to one depriva- ton after another.
 Deadly Monotony of Meals.
 There is a deadly monotony about the meals in the average household. Breakfast generally consists of rolls, marmaIade (often made of pumpkins) and a decoction of roasted acorns, rye, and what-not that goes by the name of coffee. There is no real cof- l fee left Some tea at high prices is still to be had, but the poorer people drink a brew of linden blossoms, rasp- berry leaves or leaves of other shrubs or trees. For the second breakfast there is dry bread.
 Meat Twice a Week.
 Dinner generally consists of boiled potatoes with salt some kind of boiled and, on perhaps two days of the week, a tiny piece of meat. Fish takes the place of meat on other days, unless one can buy a goose, at $1-o6 a pound (they cost $2 2. pound just be- fore Christmas)). a duck at $1.44 pound a turkey at $1.32 a pound, or a hen at s1.OS to $1.2O a pound. Com paratively little game comes on the market, apparently going to the hotels and restaurants.
 Supper is Problem.
 Supper is the problem in the average Generally there are no po- tatoes left over from noon and if there 1 are there is no fat in which to fry them. The usual German supper be- fore the war consisted of cold meats, sausage cheese, bread and butter and beer. There is no meat. no cheese, and no sausa ge. no butter on four or five days of tho week. no more bottled beer and many saloon keepers refused to sell beer to be drunk off the premises.