East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-10-13
MENTION Of COSSACE
CONJURES UP TERROR
WORD Seems TO HOLD HORROR
FOR KAISERS MEN AND
AUSTRIANe.
Men Originally Organized from Ban
dit Bands 20 Protect Frontier Dur
ing the wars With Turkey and
Poland-TOtal Cossack Population
IL About 100000.
(By p. N. sarle. United Press staff
Correspondent

(By p. N. Sarle, United Press staff
Correspondent)
LONDON, Sept. 25.-(By mail to
New York III you want to strike
terror to the heart OF an Austrian or
German these days, say "Cossack."
The very word seems to hold a hor-
ror for the kaiser's men and also for
Francis Joseph's troops.
Remembering their exploits against
Napoleon and their wild warfare dur
ing the revolt OF Hungary Austrians
and Germans shudder when they
think OF the Cossacks invading their
countries. The Cossacks' cruelty dur
ing the Russian revolution Is well
known and their operations In China
IN 1900 we're criticised not only by
the world outside Russia but by Rus
SLAMS themselves.
In the Russo japanese war the Cos
sacks did not live up to their reputa-
tions. The reason was clear enough
as they were maruajers BY origin
Their reason for being In warfare Is
to enrich themselves by II.
The Cossacks' social position in
Russia makes them so. Originally
the Cossacks were formed from ban
dts to protect the frontiers during
wars with Turkey and Poland. And
later when Russia started her long
march towards the east and linked
up with the Mahometan races Of Gen.
tral Asia, a cossack "Voisko" was
formed also close TO the new Asiatic
frontier Of the Russian Empire.
The Cossacks cost Russia nothing.
The empire endowed them with spe-
cial privileges for which in return, at
certain age ana under special con-
ditions they have to give military SER
vice.
The total Cossack population now is
about 5000, 900 OF which 100000 are
women. The Cossacks own about
46,5O0.000 acres OF land. Military
service is obligatory for all men for
twenty years, beginning at the age Of
eighteen. Practically the Cossack
youth starts his military career at II
when he joins an organization similar
to the Boy Scouts.
Active service the Cossack does for
three years in the preliminary divi-
son. The next twelve years he is in
active service and the last five he is
on the reserve list. Every Cossack
is bound TO provide his own, equip
ment and horse. the goernment fur
nishing the arms.
Every Cossack troop in active ser
vice is divided into three equal parts,
according TO age and the third only
in real service, while the two others
stay at home. They are bound to
march out just as soon as the order
is given, however
quite recently there was formed in
Transkaspia three troops Of half-wild
Turkomans. These are now being
employed in the invasion OF Austria.
They are the creation OF the famous
Russian general Skobeleff, called the
white General" His hatred OF Ger
many was so great that Blsmark fear
ed him and paid a great deal OF Sc
rious attention TO him.
One year before Alexander II was
assassinated in 1850, Skobeleff at
tempted to put through his plan OF
organizing troops among these half
wild men. He we'll knew the terrible
Part they would play in an invasion
OF Germany. Alexander II, however,
objected TO the plan and It fell
through.
Alexander III formed an alliance
with France and 1t looked as though
Skobeleffs plan might be adopted. II
had attracted attention in high dip
lomatic circles. But about this time
a young German actress whom Sko-
geleff was paying attention to poison
ed him in a hotel in Moscow. It was
believed she was in the pay Of the
German government. But Skobeleffs
scheme finally worked out as recent
events show
An incident, humorous and yet
gravely significant, occurred on the
occasion of the kaiser's visit to st,
Petersburg before the Franco-Rus-
sian alliance. Several Cossack troops
were drawn up for inspection by the
kaiser. As he viewed them he was
attracted by a beautiful sword carried
by a Cossack officer, MAY l see it?"
he inquired. II know that the Cos
sacks are excellent Is it an heir
loom?"
Eyes, your Majesty" replied the
officer "It is very old one
The kaiser took the sword and read
the engraving on It, Then, with a
smile, he returned the sword. The
engraving was;
God give me opportunity to lead
my horse to drink from the Spree
(The river on which Berlin is locat-
ed."))
'T hope you will be successful" said
the kaiser, land fully accomplish the
desire Of your ancestor"
This officer is now at the head OF
one of the troops in Russia's first
line