The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-11-08
|H|DEOUS AUSTRIA
AND THE SERBS
ssrvians Have Not Had credit for
What They Have Done Dur
Ing the Years Of
Warfare.
COUNTRY IS WRECKED
Austria 10 Charged With Many
Atrocities in servia and see
Ing That the News il
Suppressed.
COUNTRY IS WRECKED

GBy Alice Robe, United Press Staff
Correspondent
ROME, Oct. 10.-(By mail to New
York )-"Horrible and hideous Austria
has such splendidly organized espion-
age that the outside world can receive
no details OF what is happening in my
beloved country which Is bleeding ter
ribly for the third time in two years"
The words were spoken by tall.
handsome young man OF twenty-five
whose white face and emaciated figure
were physical reminders of recent
suffering. The man was Captain
Wukitchovitch, hero Of two Servian
wars who left his diplomatic post at
Sofa to hasten home in order to take
up arms against the bitter enemy Aus
tria. Just out OF the hospitol at Nisch,
Wukitchovitch Is in Rome on dip
lOmatic mission. When questioned
about the war and its outcome he talk
ed wildly Of the sufferings of his peo-
pie, Of the horrors OF the conflict which
he says, to the average mind, cannot
be painted in bloody enough colors.
The traces of the rugged physique,
inherited from theN hardy ancestors OF
the Servian mountains-mere traces
now-and the sight OF the hand almost
severed by Turks simfter In the
frst Balkan war, the slight limp in
the one time free and courageous
stride, the weakness due to exhaustion,
tell the story OF Servia through this
young man quite as plainly As his
words. He is symbol Of what is
going on In this little Slav country
now reduced to so few male inhabi-
tants through the never ceasing calls
of war. Servia in the minds OF many
casual critics Of the great European
conflict 10 regarded as an insignificant
and almost despicable cause Of q great
disaster which has effected the entire
world. A glimpse into the heart OF
Servia reflected In one Of its sons
opens up vista OF indomitable cour-
age, capacity for suffering, OF endur-
ance almost unbelievable.
THE battle OF Sabatz! Blood ran
like mountain streams. We fought as
il inspired by the knowledge that we
must overcome the hateful Austrian.
Oar battalion, after nine days of fight
ing and retreating-then lighting
again in the face OF the whole Aus
TRAN division, fought against tretnen-
dous Odds" said Wukitchovitch relat-
ing this one OF the many similar en-
~<u khA Aria OCf~
hundred OF us against $4,000 We
fought frantically till our troops were
modified. Then our men came up
and complete victory was the reward.
Now all the world knows the history
OF Sabatz. And after that victory I
fell exhausted. My detachment had
been exposed continually to the enc
my's charges. Indeed 1t was almost
annihilated. Out Of nine ohcers only
three remained. All the men were in
pitiable condition. The division was
shattered remnant. OF 624 men
only 81 were left
Captain Wukitchovitch was two
weeks in the hospital at Nisch. hav-
ing been two weeks before that in the
uOSP4tdA, SuAOAlAB w H0L
is now common among the Servians
who have fought untiringly in three
wars in two years-military exhaus-
ton. He was carried from the camp
almost lifeless with no wounds from
the enemies bullets.
II can fight no more now but must
regain my strength for IL lost my
limbs and IL my left hand were COM
pletely torn on with Just enough Of
my wrist left to steady my gun
would go back to fight Austria. They
are hghting now all along the frontier.
The forces are out Of all proportion.
II Russia had not arrived what would
we have done? There can be but one
OF the war now, complete
crushing of Austria. But what bloody
price to pay for subjecting this AFRO
giant and selfish Teuton race!"
Conditions In Servia and along
the frontier would stir the sympathy
OF the entire world II one could see
wounded men left to die because there
are not enough doctors to give them
just little aid. 1t would melt the
heart of the world. And yet the Ser
vians die and suffer uncomplainingly
There are not enough Red Cross
everything is made
quate. Men who live will come out
OF this war invalids because their
wounds are unattended. Many are
dying of blood-poisoning. And many
arc worn out just done for-too many
wars.
1.-THE restitution OF Servia is pitt
able. For where the Austrians have
been, there. nothing remains. They
have molested even our women and
children and have taken our wives,
mothers, sisters. babies and forced