New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1920-10-27
|EMIGR TELL
OF EXPE RIENCES
TWO YOUNG MEN ARRIVE IN
NEW ULM FROM BOHEMIA
ALMOST DESTITUTE.
SUFFERING OF PEOPLE THERE
INDISPENSABLE. LIVING
COST ENORMOUS.


COST ENORMOUS.
Adolph and Rudolph Christian are
happy and contented now. For the
first time since the terrible World war
began they are able to eat hearty
meal and satisfy their craving appetite
three times each day. This has not
been possible for them for nearly six
years, as they, together with many Of
their countrymen were forced to be
satisfied with constantly diminishing
rations and continual decrease in the
quality Of their food. They are willing
to tell the world that life is worth
living today, although but few short
weeks ago they eked out a bare exist
ence with not single ray OF hope for
the future.
Come From Bohemia.
We almost forgot to say that Adolph
and Rudolph are new arrivals in New
Ulm from Bohemia, Austria, their
native land, They are nephews OF
Mrs. John Holoubek and Mrs. Jacob
Hauer, both residents of this city, and
came here ten days apart, the former
arriving in New Ulm October 6 and the
latter on October 16. Their home was
at Neuhaus in that war-torn little
country, which they left together, but
when they wanted to board the steamer
bound for the United States, only
Adolph could secure passage, as the big
ships passenger list was filled. Con-
sequently Rudolph was compelled to
wait 10 days before the next steamer
sailed.
A Hearty Welcome Here.
A hearty welcome awaited the young
men upon their arrival here. Not
only their local relatives, but the entire
neighborhood of Riverside joined in
extending the hospitality for which
that section Of the city is famous.
The young male residents of Riverside
demonstrated their generosity by pro-
-viding suits, overcoats, shirts, shoes
and other necessary articles to clothe
the new arrivals from head to foot.
The cost of this equipment was de-
frayed from a fund that was literally
subscribed to and this act of kindness
was appreciated beyond expression by
the recipients.
Indescribable Suffering.
Conditions in Bohemia are almost
UNDESIRABLE, according to Adolph and
Rudolph, and the suffering, especially
among the poor people Of that country,
lis indescribable. Accounts of the
|.hardships endured by the inhabitants
of Austric, which were told in letters
and newspapers received here since
the Armistice, seemed almost beyond
belief, but they were not exaggerated,
| if one hears the two young men relate
their heart-rending experiences and
tthose Of their country men. Many
New Ulmites have generously pro-
IAvided foodstufs for their relatives in
Europe and, these materially relieved
the suffering, but those poor people
who had no kin in the United States
and could, therefore, appeal to no one
there for assistance, were in a sad plight
indeed.
Wages Low; Living High.
The daily wage Of the average work
man in Bohemia is but four crowns
|ethe pre-war value .of a crown was
20.3 cents), and in view Of the high
cost Of all necessities is by far INSULT
tcient to provide nourishing food for
himself and family. Potato soup has
become the principal dish on the poor
people bill Of fare, but, as there are
mo fats of any kind to be had, it is not
nearly SO nourishing as that prepared
in the United States. Just enough salt
is available to make the soup palatable.
"A single egg costs crown and the
prices Of other foodstuffs are also very
high This, too, applies to clothing.
For instance, pair Of shoes cost
1,40O crowns and clothing is equally
expensive. This accounts for the fact
that the two young men arrived here
dressed in suits made Of paper and
grass. The suspenders Of their trous-
ers were made Of paper.
Comparative Costs.
Last year, 100 Kilograms "a kilo-
gram is about two and one-ffth pounds
Iavoidurpois weight Of rye cost 80
crowns. The present price Of the same
quantity Of this cereal is 200 cronws.
Food rationing by means Of cards is
still in vogue, but the restrictions are
Ieven more severe than during the war,
|Sas the people must now pay for the
food cards as well as for the foodstuffs.
And besides, Bohemia has more soldiers
lin its borders today than during the
world conflict. About all that these
military men have to. do is to; snoop
around and find out whether some