New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-27
A PEN Picture of the Cars Forces

boots that a few hours before had stepped
along brightly and bravely, while their owners
had sung and jested-for never are fun and
death closer than in war;
Finally a brilliant reflection in the night
sky-we were approaching Czenstochau
Sharply outlined, the silhouette of the towers
of its famous ancient monastery appeared be-
fore US. This monastery contains the mysteri-
Gus Black Madonna an image painted upon
cypress wood and adorned by crown m
crusted with many jewels. The legend tells
that in the Thirty Years War Swedish soldiers
tried to carry the picture from its chapel But
ten horses could not make it bulge. Furious
with disappointment, the leader struck the
picture in the face . and the cheek OF
the Black Madonna began 10 bleed
Ever since the walls of this monastery were
filed with blood and horror We all re-nen-
Der the sensational murder two years ago. one
of the monks having been assassnated by hrs
brother, who sewed the corpse into an old
sofa, which he had thrown into the Wharf.-The.
Having passed the sentries, we entered the
brilliantly illumined, utterly deserted streets
of Czenstochau In all windows rows Of burn
ing candles. The street lamps blazing Front
doors and balcony doors wide open 10 the
warm, caressing summer night; every house.
the whole city, as though prepared for some
glittering, magnificent bacchantic festival
and yet, not a human being TO be seen, not
a sound to be heard. We seemed to move in
an enchanted place.
I'm low whispers we were told the history OF
the last days occurrences. The Tuesday before
German mobilization regiment of Ccssscks
had been sent TO garrison Czenstochau. On
Monday morning their last corps evacuated
before the advancing Germsns-after having
blasted the railroad bridge, set FIRE TO the coal
stored at the station, and carried away or de-
stroyed all the city's provisions. The pigs
which they could not take with them they tied
up with bundles of straw, sprnkled with coal
oil and set ahre, driving them out into the sun
set fields where they rushed about Ike frantic
wisps of fame, until, tortured and charred they
broke down, dead.
THE entrance of the Germans was grestcd
with Joy by the citizens, who surrendered their
town voluntarily and with solemn ceremonies.
But the citizens Of Czenstochau had little au-
thority in their own town. They trembled az
the thought of the traitors in their midst
Russian bandits, criminals, outlaws who, valu-
ing neither their own life nor that Of others and
expecting gain from any disorder, were men,
ace to both conquered and conqueror. The
first day had passed quietly. But no sooner
did night fall than sharp, quick reports were
heard-from dark gateways. from cellar win
dows, from roofs-and the soldiers stornei
the houses. killing or overpowering whoever
they found with weapons. Still the stealthy
attacks did not cease. The next morning tn,
assassins were shot in Monastery Square
And it was then that the proclamation wa:
issued forbiddng any citizen to appear in th'
streets after p. m, ordering general iumina
ton of every house and threatening lombard
ment in case another shot should fall"