The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-05-09
GERMAN LOSSES REALIZED
Mr.. Quarles Tells Old Friends in Keno.
sha the German People Realize They
Can Never Recover Foreign Business
People Fight Shy Of War Talk.

The Congregational Men IS Club sat
down to supper at z O'Clock last eve
ming in the church parlors of the Con-
gregational church. After the repast
the members went to the auditorium,
where they were joined by numerous
ladies and gentlemen who had been in
vited to hear the address that was to
follow. There was large audience,
in spite of the storm. 81. E. Remer,
president of the club, was in the chair
and introduced the speaker Edward Il.
Quarles of Milwaukee. His subject
was: present Conditions in Ger
many" Mr.. .Quarles opened his ad-
dress with the statement that he was
born in Kenosha and that he wasagrate-
full for it. IL am grateful that was
born in America and not in Ger
many he said. He had spent thir-
teen years in Germany, having been en-
gagged in the oil business in Hamburg.
He had great difficulty in leaving the
country, which he succeeded in do
ing December II, 1917. Other Amer
leans are held there. In the opinion
of Mr.. Quarles they will suffer in re-
prisals, if events similar to the recent
lynching in Illinois are repeated. The
lecture stated that the German sol
diers do not know what they are fight
ing for. A sharp distinction should be
made between the German people and
the ruling military class. This class
is in authority and has directed the gov
ernmental affairs of Germany.
There was enthusiasm among the peo-
pie at first for the war through pa
triotism but this has passed. The peo-
pie are tired of the war. There is how
ever no chance for revolution as all
efforts are Immediately suppressed by
the most drastic measures as is shown
by the punishment of those concerned
in the naval mutiny on board ship
in the Baltic. The people make dis
tinction between the Kaiser and the
military party and blame the latter ra-
Their than the former for present con-
ditions. Large merchants regard Ger
many already defeated, because they
realize that Germany's foreign bust
ness is gone and cannot be regained
for many long years. The German
government has, in fact, taken over
the business from private interests and
has established buying and selling COM
panies, that have made great profits.
Public opinion in Germany is made
by the newspapers. The persons, who
support the war, seem almost hypno-
tised by them. The papers are censored
and inspired by the military class. A
great many persons of the middle-class
seem to have no ideas of their own.
Their conversation is merely repeti-
ton of anything they read in the pa
pers.
Conditions are different in Austria.
There are five or six different peoples
there. There has been much trouble
and open revolt. Germans had to be
mixed with Austrians in the regiments
of the army in order to hold them to
support of the government and their
officers are in the main Germans. There
may be revolution at any time. Con-
ditions are all favorable for it.
Mr.. Quarles continued his discourse
by saying that in his opinion the mill
tary class of Germany and its chief
supporters, the mobiles and large land
owners, feared that they would lose their
power by the spreading of democratic
ideas and that they started the war
in the hope that world-conquest would
reconcile the German people to their
continued rule. This class only re-
presents about two per cent of the Ger
mans, but they hold the power by the
peculiar voting conditions in Germany.
A poor mans vote counts only one
fifth that of a rich man. Administers
ton of law is no longer in. civil hands
but in those of the military class.
Conditions in Germany today show a
complete Generalization Of the people.
Stealing of food is common and is JUS
titled because of the great scarcity.
The food cards regulate the amounts of
food for individuals, and laws set the
prices; but people feel justified in pay
ing little attention to them. Fabulous
prices are paid for food by any, who
have funds Bartering too is very COM