The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-06-08


Bailey, teacher in our high school)
will be read with interest by her
friends in this city,
| AT the home of her parents in Les
lie, Mrs. Seymour Beach 1Conger, wife
OF the Associated Press correspondent
in Berlin, gives a graphic account of
food stringencies behind the lines in
internal Germany. Mrs. Conger, with
her three children, the youngest but
a few weeks old, recently arrived
here from Norway, having been sent
out of Germany when war was declar-
ed against the United States. She is
a daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. j. W.
Bailey of Leslie.
Americans are under a close sur
veillance in Germany, according to,
Mrs. Conger. "No American in Ber-
lin is allowed to leave the house be-
tween the hours of 10 at night and
in the morning, and are closely watch
ed during the day, ''she told rep
resentative of The State Journal.
Americans remaining there are for
the most part dentists, music stud
ents and those who were established
in business.
Food, next to the war, is the
whole subject of conversation, said
Mrs. Conger. 'Before the war to
talk at dinner party of the food
question would have been considered
wholly out of place. Music, liter
ature, art, and other subjects consid-
cred OF greater Importance and more
appropriate, were discussed. Now
they talk only food.
" Where did you get it?' How
much did you pay?' How much could
you get? are the sort of questions
that dominate all food discussions
among housewives" she continued.
"We lived in Berlin from the begin
ming Of war until war was declared
between Germany and the United
States, and i came in direct contact
with the housewives problem in keep
ing up home. Supplies are indeed
problem to be dealt with in the way
OF food and wearing apparel.
Eggs Is Cents Apiece
Are there any eggs. in this
cakeY is another question one fire.
quently hears. Should the answer be,
'none,' the recipe is asked for at |
once, is in demand in fact. No, con-
versation in Germany's best circles
in no longer along the line of the
latest opera, or the new prima donna
or the newest books.
"When we left Germany in Feb |
ruary grave fears were felt with re-
gard to the food supply. The people
were hoping for the spring crop,
which may last by strict economy
through the year. Meat allowed per
person is one-quarter of a pound a |
! week; none can have milk unless |
very snail children are in the
family; and eggs at 15 cents apiece
are allowed only in sparing quaint
ties.
"The German farmer is restricted |
from killing any of his chickens for
his own use, and can keep for his
own use a certain amount of his en-
tire production and he has no right |
to Withhold any of it. German people |
are most loyal to their country" Mrs.
Conger observed.
"Spring styles are not of interest
to women of Germany now," she
continued GA woman is not allow
ed to buy dress unless she can
prove her real need of one to the
authorities, then purchase card is
given. This affects cotton and WOOL |
en- goods only. Silks are very high |
4, bringing prices that only the rich |
may procure.
1T is believed the German people |
desire peace, also many of the mil
itary leaders themselves, but loyal
ty and reverence for the government |
and the ruling class is most sacred |
tradition and a devout religion to
them. Open revolt, such as took place
in Russia is not probable with Ger
many" Mrs. Conger believes.
Conger Remains in Europe
Mr.. Conger, she says is obliged to
remain in Europe though she does
not expect him to have as stationary
home as they did in Berlin. "Mr.
Conger has frequently visited the bat
tie 'front.'" Mrs. Conger says. "Il
have seen nothing of active war. Yet
German soldiers we're always to be
seen about and we had only to raise
our eyes to see Zeppelins and air
planes over us. M
Coming to America we sailed on
the steamship "United States from
Kristina, Norway, going there from
Copenhagen, Denmark, as we want