For the benefit of the non-German speaking members, allow me to add an English translation of the above notice:
"Citizens of Berlin!
After long, blessed years of peace, we once more see our men and boys march into the field.
They go off into a war that has been forced upon us by hate-filled enemies, against whom we stand in holy self-defence.
Our people take up arms for German nature and German culture, for the safety of the Empire that we had fought for at great cost, for the balance in Europe.
Now is the time for every one to give their best, now is the time of trial to our core.
Push back all thought on money and material wealth, on vanity and comfort.
Those who now, in the hour of grave peril to the Empire's territory, strive to bring their pennies from the public coffers or banks into their own money stockings, who use the excitement to enrich themselves through the food prices or who raise the prices by foolish panic buying take upon them a severe liability before their fellow countrymen.
They are guilty if the Germans gain the reputation of dishonoring a grand time by self-seeking and headlessness.
That is not our nature.
We are a manly, faithful people, who rush to follow the call of the Fatherland and who flock around our Emperor's banner with enthusiasm.
Berlin, the national capital, must and will lead the way in self-sacrifice and self-discipline.
But you, sons of Berlin, who rush to face the enemy, eager to fight: Take with you your home city's glowing wish for you to persevere until the end, undomitable in bravery and, through hardship and battle, to return home victoriously.
Berlin, 3 August 1914.
The Magistrate
of the Royal Capital and Residential City.
Wermuth."
Dr. Adolf Wermuth was the mayor of Berlin from 1912 to 1920. To him, food rationing was a crucially important issue, the importance of which he had realized very early on. Indeed he was instrumental in convincing Germany's government to institute the nationwide wartime food rationing system, having already created a local rationing/food distribution system in Berlin.
For German-language biographical information see:
Zweckverband Groß-Berlin 1912-1921 - Berlin.de
An der Spitze Berlins
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