The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-06-06

arrangements are being completed
by which the interests OF German FIR
men, amounting to several millions OF
dollars, will be purchased by American
merchants and the money thus paid
turned into the treasury.
Before the war broke In Europe, ac-
cording to a statement issued by the
alien property custodian, the trade Of
American furriers was practically moth
Ing but collecting and shipping
agency for the Germans. Almost every
pelt taken by American trappers went
to Leipzig before It could be sold. AL
though London was the worlds mar
ket, three-quarters of the fur shipped
to London from America, Russia, and
even China, went to Leipzig for dress
ing and dyelng.
The Leipzig dreSsers and dyers were
recognized as the best in the world.
Each year after the fur was prepared
and German merchants had fixed the
price, Americans were allowed to pur-
chase as much as three-fifths of the
years output for manufacture into
garments, but In so doing they were
forced to pay the original cost, ex-
pense of dressing and dyeing, q big
profit to the Germans, and a 80 per
cent duty, before the furs were re-
turned to America.
The war deprived Germany Of the
chance to purchase fur In London, and
limited the supply from America
now also entirely cut off.
According to the Leipzig correspond
ent of a Christiania newspaper, the
Leipzig spring fair showed exhibits of
many substitutes and surrogates which
have been placed on the market in
Germany. Descriptions of some Of
these have been received by the Unit
ed States chamber of commerce:
surrogate for pepper is offered for
sale which. judged only by its appear
ance, seems almost the same as real
pepper. The color, odor and taste
have been surprisingly well initiated.
A tea Is shown TO which the name Of
German tea" has been given. 1t Is
prepared from any one or combina-
ton of a great variety of plants, from
strawberry leaves to linden blossoms.
Ii is said TO taste very much like gen.
uine tea, but even half dozen cups
will not produce the stimulation caused
by single cup of real tea.
There are any number of surrogates
for marmalades. Most of them are
prepared from garden vegetables In
stead of from fruits, with minimum
amount Of sugar.
Substitute soap is offered for sale,
which is said to have been prepared
from the Oil In berries and from pum-
ice stone. 1t lacks, however, the one
main characteristic Of soap, that of
working up into rich, creamy lather;
otherwise 1t is very good. Substitutes
are also to be had for laundry blueing.
Substitute bicycle tires are some
times made Of two concentric iron
rings with small springs between them.
They are very serviceable on asphalt
pavements, but are not exactly as
nOiseless nor as easy riding as gen.
ulne rubber tires.
A large number Of articles offered
for sale had been prepared largely or
entirely from paper-cOarse working
clothes for men and women, blouses.
aprons, and other fabrics. There were
paper belts which seemed capable Of
driving heavy loads.
Many artificial and substitute leath-
ers were noticed. Brass and copper
articles were not seen, and attempts
were made to place substitutes on the
market in the form Of plated wares.
A committee on public information
representative in London says:
London has never heard of a base
ball season before, but will get Its
chance this year when the American
baseball league gets its schedule of
games well underway. There are eight
American and Canadian teams re-
cruited from various organizations sta
toned in London, with games sched-
uled for each Saturday during the
summer.
The thousands of American soldiers
who may pass through London. or be
invaded or stationed here, are In q
fair way to be made to feel that Eng
land Is the next best place to home
and that English hearts are kept warm
for them.
make England the Sammy's
'blighty,'" is the way the English
press puts 1t in urging readers to EN-
terrain the American troops. "Blighty"
is the war word for everything the
soldier wants In intervals of his fight
Ing work; the place where friends,
recreation, and homelike comfort
await him.
The Weekly Dispatch recently called
for suggestions for public entertain
mentSto be offered American soldiers
and an instant response made thou
sands of dollars available for amuse-
ments and entertainments. The idea
that found greatest favor, however,
was to throw open the homes of the
nation to the Sammies.
An officer commanding an American
squadron operating with the British
feet has reported on late inspection
and speaks In high terms of the pres