The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-13
PruSsian-P Poland Frontier
Scene of Reign of Terror
Widow Of the Treasurer of Kasz Describes How Husband
and Other Inhabitants Were Wantony Executed
by German Invaders

Petrograd, Sept 12.-when the war
broke out the FIRST German invasion Of
Russia occurred on the PrEssla-Poland
frontier. The following frst-hand ac-
count OF 1t was told by Nine. Sokolva,
widow OF the treasurer of the village of
Kalisz, whose husband was slain by the
Germans
with trepidation, we awaited the be-
ginning OF war. as everybody said that
the Germans would take up prisoners.
We prepared a reserve of provisions.
AT various times previous to the ac-
tual declaration of war I had arranged
to take the children from Kalisz, and
ing cabs. But l could not leave my
husband, who was detained on duty in
the town.
AT 2 a. m, on August 2, he received
a telegram from the minister of war an
nouncing the opening of hostilities. In
the evening Germans arrived. They
came in quietly enough, not meeting with
the slightest resistance Many of the
soldiers, mostly Poles, had acquaintance
in the town. who treated them with beer.
and spoke Polish to them.
THE soldiers said that IL they had to
shoot II would be into the air. remark
ing, Don't be afraid, We are Christians,
and Christians don't murder But We
knew that these troops would be re-
placed by SaXons, and this made a sad
impression.
Arrival Of the SaEons.
ION the following day a small squad |
Of Saxons arrived; they began firing from
machine guns, entirely without cause.
evidently with the idea OF starting a
panic amongst the peaceful citizens.
Very soon il became known that the
Germans had killed the Jewish rabbi
and his eldest son. We heard also that
many people had been arrested. and that
German spies were abroad, some dressed
as women.
1T was said that the rabbi and his
son had been taken to the Square OF the
Prefecture and there shot by a German
officer. with revolver. in the sight %
a large crowd.
The spies had been excellently IN
formed as to the whereabouts OF the
homes Of the Russian officials; they in
dicated these TO the officers, who sent
soldiers thither to search for money and
arms.
Meeting the local inhabitants the SOL
diers jokingly requested them to stand
and then shot them
''1. myself. saw how the soldiers fright
ened little children with their swords
Notices issued by the German com
mandant were posted all over the town.
They were frequently changed. At first
he demanded that all windows should he
closed. An order that all windows be
Illuminated followed.
AN order was given to charge all Rus
slams for German passports. There was
no end to the commandments demands,
and INDISPENSABLE panic followed
THE firing OF machine guns continued.
and several women were killed.
by Monday evening we knew We
should not be saved, and resolved to pass
he night with the children in the cellar
In the morning the firing was renewed
Ind then all became quiet. At midday
began to get dinner ready. There came
! knock at the door. had a forcboding
II danger and resolved not to open it.
THE knock was repeated. Something
began TO break, and I knew there was no !
opened the door. and a Ger
nan officer and five soldiers entered.
threatening me with revolvers. Ny hus-
,and exhausted after sleepless nights.
Vas resting in the bedroom. The Ger
mans woke him and ordered him TO fol-
lin. ,
StnEEcrs About Town. 7
We came to the bridge. There they !
vas to h. questioned by the commandant.
All my entreaties not to be separated {.
rom my husband were In vain. I stag
;ered around the town almost mad with
nguish for half an hour. At last
cached the prefecture.
The German commandant, Prcssler
vas there asked the fate of my hus-
and. a German officer replied. IF he
ives he will return home: and II he
dead you will find him. Then I knew a
ny husband had been killed by one of the I
icrman officers. His body was discovered !
\ the square OF the Prefecture. Along :
ide lay the headless body Of some I'M '
nown victim. I
a whole street near the Prefecture a
,as full OF the bodies of Russians.
sked, why did you kill my husband
he Germans did not wish to answer.
nd one remarked. Germans don't kill
eople for nothing {
1T appeared that the commandant de- v
handed the money from the treasury. Ii
Iy husband replied that the half-million d
Oubles of paper money had been de- ! c