The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-09
DENIES SHORTAGE
OF FOOD AFFECTS
PRUSS|AN PEOPLE
Schurz States on Return
Here Prices Are Only
"Slightly Higher"

The German people are still confi-
dent their country cannot be invaded
and they are unit in the belief that,
If nothing may be accomplished by
the peace overtures to the Allies. the
strength of the military forces of the
Central Powers will be sufficient ulti-
matelyl to bring the war to a satisfac-
tory conclusion, according to Carl
Lincoln Schurz. who sailed for Ger
many on Nov. 9 and arrived here on
Wednesday.
Mr.. Schurz, a son of the late Carl
Schurz, who left his native land be-
cause he preferred the democratic
spirit OF America, went to Germany
as the attorney for American corpor-
atiors to adjust legal matters that
had developed with German concerns
and which had become more compile
Gated because of the Interruptions of
mail facilities.
Although it was nearly two months
between the date of his departure and
his return here, Mr. Schurz was in
Germany only sixteen days of that pc
Rod. Thirty-nine days were requir-
ed to make the trip. He reached
Germany via Copenhagen and re-
turned via Amsterdam. At Kirkwa1l
his baggage, clothing and all personal
effects were searched when it was
found he was going to the German
Empire. On the return trip the ex-
animation consisted Of only close cues
tioning.
Il frankly told about the object
of my visit to. the officers who made
the examination" said Mr.. >Schurz
They made as little trouble as possi-
BILE for me and treated me very cour-
teously.''
Concerning the social, economic and
business conditions observed during
his brief stay, :Mr. Schurz said:
:" had not been to Germany since
the war began. On the surface of
things, at least, I did not find that
the, daily life of the people in Berlin
and Hamburg was greatly changed in
comparison with conditions as had
found them on former visits. There
was no real food shortage, and the
hotels were crowded. had difficulty
in getting accommodations in Berlin.
Men and women had tea or dined in
the hotels afternoons and evenings.
Good orchestras provided the music.
Prices were slightly higher.
- ta'. Abundance of Food.
while there was absolutely no APP
parent shortage of food, SO far as I
could Judge, for every one seemed to
have enough, it is true there was a
noticeable lack of butter and milk
The latter, I was told, was reserved
for the sick and infants. Twice
weekly no meat is served, but certain
kinds Of game were offered in place
Of meat on those days. There was a
great variety and abundance Of fish,
fruits, and vegetables The only
other article missing from the menus
of restaurants and hotels was white
bread, but the so-calleds war bread
was plentiful and it was palotable..
People went about their business
daily, and the only visible token of
war was the number of soldiers at
railway stations or on cars in trans
portation. Among the civilian popu-
lation engaged in business or other
civil occupations were great numbers
OF able-bodied men of military age,
and I wondered whether they were
ever to be called to fight.
'Ha mfburg seemed active socially
and commercially. Considerable
business seemed to- be doing there,
and. the people had money. 1t is
quite a remarkable fact that I was in
formed on good authority that art OBJ
jectS were In demand and sales had
been made at prices that were not so
high before the>war. There was al
SO an active trade in jewelry and 9TH
er valuables of that sort
cities uyorn oIeo- 49,
well policed and looked after as at any
time. = This appeared to be accom-
plished by marvellous organization,
which covered almost all fields Of life
that prevailed in. these two cities. Ev-
erything is organized for preventing
waste and with &C. view of making
every possible provision for the flu
ture."
made his peace announcement on the
day. Mr.. Schurz departed from Ger
many, so that the traveller was unable
to learn: personally it's effects on the
people, but he gained some insight
from the peace talks he heard pre-
vfous1y. go
every one + talked with looked
upon a peace move as a sign that
Germany, having achieved a great trf-
umph- in the Ruma MAN campaign,
should put itself on record for peace.
To them it seemed the moment was
propitious. From my general i'm
preston it. is certainly ridiculous for
any one to consider this announce
ment by the Chancellor as one of
weakness Rather it is one of
strength That is the way the Ger
man people undoubtedly regard it..
German Public Confident.
81 found in connection with this
view, a very general and deep seated
confidence in the future and in the
ultimate conclusion of the war on
terms fully consistent with Germany's
dignity. All persons with whom I
talked on the subject expressed abso-
lutte confidence in the belief that it
was impossible to invade the soil of
Germany. Every one, too, relied COM
pletely on the ability of the army, and
navy to protect the empire. "
when I came away there was talk
of what was expected from the great
stores reported to have been captur-
ed in Rumania, including grain ,oil,
and other foodstuffs This, it was
then thought, would greatly. aid the
food supply of Germany. 1t was said
that all these captured stores were be-