The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-11
ARMED WITH STONE, GIRL
COSSACK KILLS SENTRY
Daring Deed of Russian Lass Enables Prisoners to Escape
Many Women Perform Valorous Deeds for Car.
Spur Men to Daring.

Ing OF the Russian woman to assist
in the great struggle. In the polit-
ical disorders of the last thirty years,
women have done at least half the
work of agitation and a majority Of
the political assassinations and at
tempts at assassination are credited
to women.
Kira Baskirof was a pupil in a
girls college in August last She cut
off her tresses and enlisted as a vol
unteer in one of the infantry regi-
ments of Grand Duke Nicholas. In
the autumn campaign she took part
in series of daring reconnoitering
expeditions. She aroused the enthu-
siasm of the soldiers OF her regi-
not satisfy her.
So about the first of January she
enlisted under the name of Nicholas
Popoff in, one of the regiments Of
Siberian sharpshooters which bore the
brunt of the great battle of LODI
Again she performed deeds of valor
and her company unanimously petit
toned that she receive the Cross of
st. George the badge of courage.
Gar Confers Honor.
She had Cancelled her sex in this
command but shortly after receiving
the cross her secret was discovered
She was then sent home. By special
order of the Gar she is permitted to
retain her distinction. which is
usually given only to men.
Two other women, Miss Krassillni-
koff and Nine. Samsonoff, also have
had the Cross of st. George pinned on
their uniforms. Perhaps the most
thrilling adventures of any Russian
woman soldier have fallen to the lot
Of Alexandra Lagareva, who enlisted
in a regiment of Don Cossacks and
has now been promoted to be minor
officer. With several men of her COM
mand she was taken prisoner oy 'he
Ger nans and locked up in a church.
In the depth of night. Alexandra
killed the sentry guarding them with
stone. Then the prisoners got through
a window of the church and escaped.
The little force, seven in all, found
some horses picketed and seized
mounts. AS they were galloping along
a country road they heard a body of
German Uhlans approaching and set
an ambush. Several of the Germans
were killed and wounded and eight
were captured.
On searching the commander of the
Uhlan detachment the Cossack girl
found set of official dispatches.
These she delivered into the hands of
the Russian general who was in
charge of the army to which her
regiment was assigned
One might also mention Olga Jehl-
weiser, who has been of special value
to the Russian forces. She is Lith
uanian woman and served as SOL
der in the war against the Japanese,
taking part in several engagements.
At the beginning of this war she
again put herself at the disposal of
Gen. Rennenkampf. under whom she
had fought in Manchuria. She was
brought up in the vicinity of Grodno
and has special knowledge of the
roads. forests and swamps of this
difficult country. She led the Russian
detachments on several raids which
brought highly gratifying results
When the history of this great war
comes to be written, the work OF
these daring Muscovite women will
not be forgotten. These women are
not woman suffrage workers. or fem
inists" in the sense meant by Eastern
Europe. But their deeds cannot help
having an effect on the place Of wom-
an in the Russian empire. 1t will be
remembered that the Russian duma
last year voted for a woman's suf-
frage bill by a great majority. Wom-
an has not yet come into her own in
Russia. nor indeed, has man either.
but the future is bright.