The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-16
ENDLESS CRAFT
PERMEATES FOOD
RATIONINC PLAN
Most Influential, Arch Offend
ers; Police POwerless.
Germans Besieged Departing
Americans for Supplies.
OFFER ST. POUND FOR FATS
Million Loyal Women Mobilize
to Do Mems Work.
Nation Striving Utmost for
Final Military Effort.
OFFER $3.50 POUND FOR FATS
Million Loyal Women Mobilize
to Do Mems Work.
BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.
With IT. s. Ambassador Gerard,

BY CARL w. ACKERMAN.
With q. S. Ambassador Gerard.
Paris, Feb. 16.-Germany is under
nourished. Food and economical con-
dltions thruout the country are stead
lily growing worse There is endless
graft in the food distribution plan.
The empires transportation problems
are increasing.
But Field Marshal Won linden
burg's plans go forward just the
same. The Hindenburg idea is coldly
calculated on the German army alone.
Under his plans the whole ration IS
concentrating to strengthen the army.
A million women, commanded by
women officers, are projected to
form a vast industrial force working
for the Fatherland, and replacing
men needed for the army.
Sought Embassy's Food Supply.
Americans who left Berlin with Am
bassador Gerard were deluged with
thousands of requests for food from
their supplies. Ore offer was ten
marks ($2.50) for a pound of fats
from the embassy store.
One German physician asked an
American family to give him his pay
money.
1t is jokingly remarked in Berlin
that there ought to be two new kinds
of asylums-meaning for those pre-
sons crazy enought not to cheat in
the food distribution system and for
those who are insane enough in their
cheating to cheat too much.
The police are powerless to stop
most of this graft, because it is the
influential Germans who are the
not stop with the Influential Germans
Food dealers interchange their wares.
friends of magistrates get extra cards.
Food cards are stolen
Much Food Frozen.
The recent cold spell in Germany
the most freezingly bitter weather
Germany has experienced in decades
destroyed large supplies. Quantities
of much priced potatoes and apples
were frozen.
Transportation troubles likewise are
multiplying the difficulties in distribu-
ton of supplies. Many schools, large
offices and apartments in Berlin are
closed on account of lack of coal thru
this transportation tieup and the frig
idity of offices is paralyzing business.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg does
not count the food and transportation
difficulties of the people. He believes
in a military victory. And he is hop
ing to achieve that victory this year
before it is necessary again to face
the Socialists and other peace advo-
Gates.
In previous dispatches. details of
how the Socialists forced the kaiser to
make his peace proffer have been re-
lated. The rejection of the peace
terms quoted this movement. But
Germanys leaders know the demand
may come again.
Therefore Germanys efforts in 1917
may be expected to exceed any here
tofore made-because they will be the
nations final attempt. The whole en-
pire is at work for this years strug-
gle.
Mobilize Woman Workers.
Mobilization of the women workers
is but one step. The feminine army of
a million will step into places of all
possible CIVILIAN male workers. The
women's activities will take them
right up to the firing lines. Every
man able to bear arms must aid in
striking at the enemy when the crisis
arrives.
The plan was arranged by the war
service bureau. The women who vol
unteered first will be given preferen-
tial consideration in the appointment
of officers. Certain women directors
will be sent to headquarters on the
various fronts to direct their auxiliary
forces in cooperation with the mill
tary commanders Empress Auguste
gave first evidence of this extreme
step by her appearance at hea douar-
tiers the kaiser's birthday I'm
portant decisions were reached during
her visit.
Mobilize School Children Too.
Already the civilian mobilization
has reached into the public schools.
Students of the high schools in Grune-
valid, a Berlin suburb, are drilling to
take the places of firemen and street
cleaners, while farmers of the agricul-
tural suburbs have pledged their sons
and daughters for work during the
planting and harvesting seasons
In Berlin unnecessary lator is be-
ing dispensed with under the civilian
service scheme. Engineers employed
in theatres have been offered to work
in the post office, and numerous bank
assistants have taken places as tele-
phone operators. And all these men
are regarded as physically unfit for
service on the firing lines or auxiliary
military departments.