The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-30
General Situation in Germany
in Supplies Is Bad Now.
But FbOd Condition Is Not
Dangerous, Officers Find.
STOCKS ARE ON HAND
In Sufficient Quantity To Last
Until i'm February.
Business Is Dropping Off in
: Germany, Bankers Say,

with the American Army of occu-
nation, Dec. IS (delayed) The gen.
Pal situation in Germany as regards
supplies of all kinds is bad but it is
not Immediately serious. reports of
American intelligence officers showed
today. .--
After a two weeks investigation
thruout the entire area occupied by
the American forces, these officers re-
uorted that the food situation is not
dangerous at the present time. They
believe that within short time work
ing people in the towns will begin to
feel a real pinch. Stocks now on
hand. Il is asserted. are sufficient to
last until February l or Is. in the
towns. while the farmers have been
sufficiently foresighted to store their
stocks until they have enough to last
thru the winter. Inasmuch as a great
er part of the region is agricultural,
Conditions as a whole are fairly good.
= Many persons in the Moselle VAL
hey, wine growers will be forced to
buy foodstuffs In the towns war ra-
tioning is still being enforced. There
is serious shortage of butter, eggs,
and milk. These are practically non
existent in the towns. The weather.
citizens are able to obtain them by
back door dealing.
-Four Pounds of Bread.
= The official food allowance during
the last week in December for each
person was four pounds, eight ounces
Of bread. twelve ounces of flour, seven
pounds of potatoes, ten ounces of
canned vegetables, one egg, two
ounces OF butter. eight ounces of SUI
gar. twelve ounces of turnip tops.
= There was no meat to be had.
Heavy WORKERS were permitted to have
an additional pound of potatoes.
The cost of this. the intelligence re-
port shows, averages about ten marks
daily while in the cities it is much
h higher.
y German officials claim the potato
crop, on which is placed the greatest
dependence for food, is a partial fail
ure and declare the situation may be-
come serious late in February unless
stocks not now scheduled make their
appearance. Due to unsettled finan-
eial conditions, dealers are not re-
plenishing their stocks as usual. and
their shelves are growing bare.
The Pay Is Low. y
a Pay for workers is not keeping up
with the advanced cost of living
sSaborers are averaging wage of five
60 seven marks a week. Figures col
Tor complaints. Business men OF
E-ayen estimated that eight marks a
gay constitutes fair living wage, but
fhe workers are not getting it, They
Ehe averaging about five marks, while
Che women. workers are paid much
1e2s.
. Tho chief of the Coblenz Bakers as
focation estimates that business priol
20 the signing of the armistice was
about SO per cent of its normal volume
md that now has dropped off to Al
per cent. Interviews with other bank.
yrs bear out this statement. Ship.
, Inent of supplies are not looked for.
ttTard to so long as political condition.
are unsettled.
500 For n Suit.
The situation as regards clothing i.
much worse than with food.
A common suit for civilians cost.
from $50 to 500 and stocks are low
gThe cost of any kind of cloth fol
apparel is well nigh prohibitive com
pared with the scale of wages. Never
stheless. people in the streets are wei
Clothed in appearance.
As regards footwear, there is not
single pair of leather shoes on dlspla.
IN the shop windows Canvas appear
for the uppers while some have sole
Of straps. cut and sewed together
Only civilians and peasants wea