All the iron-workers in Berlin and the neighbourhood came out on
strike this morning, upon the refusal of their demands to receive the
full reward of their labour. The Government met the strike with a
prompt order to at once stop the dinners and suppers of all those on
strike. In all the State cookshops the officials have the strictest
instructions not to honour the coupons of the iron-workers. The same
suspension of the coupons applies to all restaurants, and all shops
whence, in accordance with the Government regulations, these persons in
ordinary times derive their supplies. The various shops and places in
question are closely watched by strong detachments of police. By these
means it is hoped that those on strike will, in a very short time, be
starved into submission, inasmuch as the few crumbs and parings which
their wives and friends will be able to give them from their rations
will be of very little avail.
There is more bad news to follow. An order has just been issued to
reduce the bread rations of the entire population by one half, and to
do away with the meat rations altogether. It is hoped by these measures
to effect such a saving as will enable the Government to, at least to
some extent, provision the frontier fortresses. For, in the meantime,
the threatened distraints in Germany have actually begun to take place.
From the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, French cavalry has advanced across
the German frontier, passed the Moselle, and interrupted the traffic
on the Treves and Diedenhofen, and Treves and Saarlouis lines. Other
divisions of the French army, with Longyon, Conflans, Pont-à-Mousson,
Nancy, and Lunéville as their bases of action, have crossed the
Lorraine frontier with the intention of besieging Metz and Diedenhofen,
and making a demonstration in the direction of Morchingen. Both of
these fortresses are stated to have but one week’s provisions at the
outside. The same may be said of Koenigsberg, Thorn, and Graudenz,
against which points Russian columns are now on the march, with a
view to seizing territory as security for their claims. The tactics
appear to be, to attack Eastern Prussia on the East, and on the South
at the same moment, so that upon its subjugation the eastern line of
attack upon Germany may be much shortened on the one hand, whilst on
the other hand the supplies of horses for the German army from Eastern
Prussia will be cut off. As far as possible, the reserves hasten to
the frontier. But it has unfortunately transpired that there is a
great lack of even necessary articles of clothing for many of the
reserves. In consequence of the great falling off in manufacture in
many branches, after the Revolution, large quantities of underclothing,
boots, and other articles intended for the army, had to be diverted to
the civilians, seeing that the regular supply did not keep pace with
the demand.
But enough of this. I find I shall henceforth be no longer able to
give the same full account of events as they happen. The twelve hours
day comes into force to-morrow, so I shall then not have much time for
writing. I propose, therefore, to finish off this narrative as soon as
possible, and to send it to Franz and Agnes in the New World. May it
long remind them, and their children, and children’s children, of me
and of the present stormy times, and, indeed, I must get it off with
all possible speed, or it may be too late. I notice that I am regarded
with such increasing suspicion that a search might be made, and my
papers confiscated at any moment.