William T. Gauss - 1923-06-23

(Translation of letter from Carl Gauss in Hameln, Germany 
to Helen Gauss in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A.)

Hameln, 2 June 1923
Breiterung (?) 19

Liebe Helen!

Some time has elapsed since you heard from me but nevertheless I have been thinking about you, especially as to the many kindnesses which you have shown me last summer. The times are so hard here that a person loses all interest in things, especially as to letter writing. Each day you see changes as to prices of commodities, especially railroad fares and coal, which has doubled in price in the last months. Where is this going to end?  On account of the occupation of the Ruhr district by the French, we are compelled to buy English coal; and on account of the low value of the mark - prices are soaring to such an extent that it is impossible to comprehend what the future may bring.  It is contemplated again to raise the price of bread, the most necessary of all eatables, to a price very near again as much as heretofore.   A f-pound loaf of bread pre-war price 1 mark, now 750 marks, perhaps later 1600 or 1700 marks, and no hope in sight for a change.  No indication that France will go home from the Ruhr.  England, though convinced that France is in the wrong, is far from it at the present time to take any stand, and the United States does not care anything about European affairs.  consequently we must sit still and take all of this patiently.  It is inconceivable that a country with 60 million population could fall so deep.  woe to the French if the tide should turn and we become on top again, then we shall lift the load which is now resting on us.  It is impossible for us to pay the reparation sum which has been designated at Versailles, especially since all work has been hampered in our industries by the occupation of the French.  But enough of this lamentation.  The worst part of the situation is this, that a person like myself, who has no trade and no income, will starve to death on account of the high prices.  The hue and cry is constantly, "Conserve" and "Save", and it is a sad state of affairs to be in.  Perhaps it is asking too much, but I have been thinking if perhaps you could send me a few dollars, that would help some.  If your father would do me the favor to tell the other members of the Gauss family of my plight, perhaps they would also send me a few dollars.  If you can do this in such a manner that he will not become angry, I would thank you for this favor.  You may believe me that it is not an easy matter for me to come to you with this request, remembering what you have done for me last year, but believe me that the circumstances now are so much worse than they were during the war, there is no comparison.  The best thing that could happen to me would be if I should die.  My children are getting along fairly well.  The conditions in Bonn, where my daughter lives, are worse now than they were before the French occupation.  The French are taking drastic measures against all of those who break the rules of the French, throw them in prison and fine them enormous sums of money, because they obey the German laws.  My son-in-law wrote me that he is waiting for an order each day to move from his house, because it is near the railroad station and the French want to occupy same.  If this order comes, he must vacate in a few hours and leave all of his possessions to strangers.  The house has been inspected by the French.  Carl has accepted a position as professor in Wuersburg in Bayern and left from Freiburg to that place, and has gained a solid footing in the academic world, and his condition has been bettered materially.  I am praying that I may see his new home this summer, if he sends me the railroad fare.  It will be impossible for me to pay this out of my income.  With this I will close, sending my best regards to you and your parents, hoping that you are all well and contented.  Goodbye.

Your cousin,           
Carl Gauss