New Ulm review., 1920-11-17
CHILDREN ARE
WASTING AWAY
TERRIBLE PLIGHT IN MUNICH
RELATED IN LETTER TO
JOS. BEMMERL. ar--
NO MILK FOR THREE YEAR S
HAIL DAMAGED CROPS.
FLOUR SCARCE.

Another instance of the terrible
hardships which the people, and es
pecially the children, of Central
Europe are suffering, is graphically
told in a letter received by JOSEPH
Bemmerl, residing on South Minnesota
street, from his boyhood friend
Andreas Braun, who is employed as
streetcar conductor in Munich, the
capital of Bavaria. Foodstuffs of al
kinds, and especially those that are
most noursihing, are either entirely
lacking or SO expensive that the or
dinary people cannot afford to pur-
chase them. Mr.. Braun encloses a
newspaper clipping announcing that
people residing in the United States
may send their relatives or friends in
Europe packages containing certain
essential foodstuffs, arrangements for
which have been made by the American
Relief Associat Warehouses, which
distributes these packages at their
destination.
Visits Bcyhood Home.
The letter to Mr.. Bemmerl is very
interesting. In it Mr. Braun states
that he recently visited their boyhood
home and during conversation with
the latter's brother, Michael, they also
spoke of Mr.. Bemmerl. Having NO
relatives or other friends in the United
States, Mr.. Braun decided to write
to his boyhood chum here and ask
him for whatever assistance he would
be able and willing to give him.
Suffering is Great. =
II now request you, from thebottom
of my heart, to assist US" the letter
says. "The suffering among the
people in the cities is great, especially
among our children, who are whitening
away like young trees planted in sandy
soil and lacking rain. And still, the
poor innocent little ones want to live
they are hopeful for better times to
come! l am doing the best 1 can tc
fulfill my duties as a father, having
four children, aged from to II years
dependent upon me. One OF, these is
attending school, while the other three
are working as apprentices. While
I have steady employment as street
car conductor in Munich, our present
income is not sufficient to cope with
the high cost Of living"
Prices Are High.
The writer quotes few prices o1
foodstuffs and wearing apparel as they
prevail in Munich today. For in.
stance, 100 pounds of potatoes cost
from 35 to 40 marks (the pre-wal
value of a mark was 23.8 cents); a
pound of flour, four to five marks; g
pound of meat, 13 to 19 marks; 6
shirt, up to 100 marks; pair Of shoes
for grownups, 18O to $50 marks. 'Oul
Currency (paper money! has alb
solutely no value at present." the
letter continues, and all gold anc
silver coins have disappeared; there
is not even a copper pfennig penny
in circulation any more"
Promises Reimbursement.
AS an assurance of good faith, Mr.
Braun promises to reimburse Mr.
Bemmerl for any assistance the latte
may give him, including interest, a.
soon as the present low monetary
value has become more normal again
He suggests that Mr.. Bemmerl'
friends may wish to assist in allevia t
ing the terrible suffering of thei
former countrymen. BY doing s.
they would receive eternal thank
from the starving children and thei
parents. ...... .. O.
No Milk for Three Years.
eve are especially in need G
MILK, Mr.. Braun writes, "of whic
we have had none in our family TO
the past three years. Milk is onl
obtainable for babies and invalid
and in hotels. Flour is also scare
and hard to get. Heretofore m
brother, Michael, has assisted m
materially, but. this year frost an
hail damaged their crops to such a
extent that he and his family hav
barely enough to live on during tn
winter.
Also Visited Sister.
II also visited your sister, Justin;
in our old boyhood home and | er
joyed my visit there very mucl
She is well and happy. I was agai
reminded of that Easter NJ onday man
years. ago, when you and I were t,
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