El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-02

] ruarys 1917, Will long De re-
= = membered in north Germany as
a time OF great privation and suffer
ing. The people were more than
half starved, and were thus robbed of
their power Of resisting the terribly
cold weather which prevailed during
that month.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, and other
chest troubles were rampant. and
/ then came the most fearful scourge
Of all-hunger typhus. It was no un-
common thing to see people drop in
the snow-covered streets, and to die
before medical aid could be obtained
But no matter how skilful the physi-
clan. of what use was his skill when
his patients had constitutions that
were completely broken?
The hospitals were full, and the
death rate mounted up at a most
alarming rate. Women and prisoners
were constantly employed in digging
graves and making collins for the
victims.
During this fearful period there was
no respite at Krupp's works, where
was a foreman.
Slaves Break Down.
After fortnight of this continuous
bitter weather the workers began to
break down in large numbers Even
the slave drivers began to realize that
the poor wretches in such a condition
could be driven no further. The kaiser
and headquarters staff became greatly
concerned. for they were depending
upon the great supplies from Essen
TO enable them to undertake an Of
fensive in the spring which was to
completely smash the allies. Almost
Immediately supplies Of foodstuffs
were diverted from other centers and
sent 70 HiEEnn and for
the SIX weeks or SO that the terrible
weather prevailed the people were
allowed an increased food ration.
By this means and careful nursing
their workers poor physique was i'm
proved. and the spread OF the disease
arrested, proving starvation to be at
the bottom OF II all.
BOIder In Spirit.
With the Improvement of the |
physique the men and women became /
holder in spirit. and almost on every
hand loud demands were made for /
still more food and better conditions. /
was one day the witness of a most
serious outbreak. In passing through
one Of the poorer districts 1 saw hun
dreds OF men and women lined upt
outside a bakers shop.
All had their ration cards in their
hands As 1 passed the shop on the
side of the strasse. the baker.
burly man dressed in white overaIls.
VINO oid not appear to have lost any
weight by the privations. roughly /
pushed two poor women out Of his
premises onto the footpath.
The women protested loudly that
they had not received their ration OF
bread Standing on the step, the
baker shouted, There is no bread
left"
Terrible Riot.
Bring out that bread, baker, or
wen fetch It." shouted one woman.
who appeared to be the ringleader.
The baker attempted to beat a retreat
INTO the shop, and as he was backing
10 the doorway, the woman raised her /,
leavy basket and struck him a violent
blow in the face.
This vas the signal for a general /
assault on the baker and his premises.
stones were thrown, and the windows
y the shop were smashed to atoms.
me mob then surged through the
broken windows and the doorway in b
helr mad search for bread. They
into the private parts Of the
premises, as well as into cellars, and
When they discovered no bread their
age was unbounded- Everything
which they could lay hands on was
yilfully smashed. and furniture was
Iitched out Of the widows Of the up-
,er floors.
Mob Charged BY Troops.
me news OF the riot spread rapidly, !
nd a strong body Of police, which
vas soon afterwards reinforced BY ,
mounted soldiers. came at q brisk i
ace down the strasse. without a !
hesitation they charged and
echarged the frantic mob outside the
hop.
Then followed the most brutal !
Genes The soldiers treated all alike.
Sing the butt end Of their rifles. !
hey dubbed men, women and chill {
rem None were spared from their !
ury. ,
Suddenly a shot rang out above the
In. and little later a wounded SOL.