The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1914-12-05
RUSSIA-AUSTRIA
wage HOLY WAR

NDy Nilildm VI. onepneru, Unlted
Press staff Correspondent
VIENNA, Oct. 15-(By mail to New
York. Roman Catholic circles here
have been aghast ever since the fall
of Lemberg concerning the fate hang
ing over the head of the old bishop of
Lemberg. The earlier rumors to
reach the Catholic diplomatic circles
here were that the bishop of Lemberg
had been imprisoned by the Russians.
These rumors were vague and could
not be confirmed. But within the
past few days an Austrian business
man from Lemberg has succeeded in
reaching Vienna with the positive in
formation that the aged Roman Cath
olic bishop of Lemberg is to be exc
cuted by the Russians
| happened at the the American en-
bassy here when two black-frocked
priests, from the Catholic diplomatic
circles here, were received, their faces
stamped with worry and distress.
They asked Frederick Penfeld, the
American ambassador, who, through
the tangle of war represents the Rus
sian government in Austria Hungary,
to save the life of the Lemberg
churchman.
Whether Mr.. Penfeld will succeed
in his efforts is question. | wanted
to know why the Russians wanted to
kill a Roman Catholic bishop and in
vestigation in Vienna disclosed the
| fact that the war between Russia and
Austria Hungary is III certain sections
a holy war. 1t is the Greek against
the Roman church. / cannot find that
the statesmen of either country divide
their issues on this line but the Rus
sian soldier in the field fights for his
| true Cross, the Cross of the Greek
Catholic church and the Austrian SOL
der fights back for the Cross Of
Rome.
Tt Is only on the border between
the two countries that severe fighting
has taken place and it is among the
border peoples of both countries thai
the religious feeling is paramount to
patriotic sentiments. IF the Rus
slams penetrate farther into Austria
Hungary the chances are that the re-
ligious aspect OF the present conflict
win disappear. The Russian charge
against the priests in each town they
have taken is that they are acting as
spies. The border towns in Austria
Hungary contain many Slavic inhabi-
ants no always wildly welcome the
coming OF Russian soldiers and it is
these Slav town folks who are Greek
Catholics and who usually accuse
the Roman Catholic priests in their
| town af acting as spies. The Russian
soldiers and officers hear these charges
eagerly and though definite infornla-
tion is lacking / am told that no less
than fifty Roman priests have been
executed as the Russians advance in
| to Austria Hungary.
| German tales of Russian ineficiency
bolster % the faith Of the Kaiser's
people. Here is one that was widely
circulated In German military cir
cles
After the battle of Tannenberg the
Germans who were routing the Rms
slams over an open country, were sud
denly astonished to see an entire Rus
sian brigade turn and rush against
them. They cut down the Russians
with machine guns and bayoRets but,
after the battle, not a sign of q Rus
sian officer could be found. Three
hours later inc town farther on all
the officers in this Russian brigade
were found drinking in a cafe where
they had spent the entire day. They
had s'wound up their brigade, much
as child winds up toy wagon,
started it off toward the German lines
without a single officer in charge of
it and then began day of drinking
in the village tavern. Their luggage
included many trunks which were
filed with the laciest of lingerie, silk
stockings and other delicate articles
of feminine wear.
"Why do you carry thesef' asked
an Austrian officer of his prisoners.
"Oh, we wouldn't let our women
come into the danger zone,o answer
ed Russian.