The Washington times., 1915-04-01
King Peters Heroisn1
Inspired Serb Victory
Rifle as Shells Fall and Tide of Battle Is Turned.
Bayonet Charge Completes Austrian Rout

NISH, Serbia. March 3 (by mail to
New York.)-The one man. who more
than any one else, deserves all the
credit for the great Serbian victory over
the Austrians last December, is King
Peter himself.
King Peter Is more than seventy years
of age. He is so crippled with rheu-
matism contracted from sleeping on the
rainy battlefields of the last two Bal
kan wars that he can scarcely walk.
Yet he entered the first line trenches
in that desperate fighting to preserve
his little kingdom and so inspired his
army that the Austrlans fled from Serb
ian soil, leaving behind 10000 in killed
and wounded and 10000 prisoners.
The story was told me today by Or.
Wukitchevitch. the Kings private phy-
sician. He Is probably the only man In
Serbia who witnessed the entire drama.
Belgrade Menaced.
Toward the end of November said
DR.. Wukitchevitch. Il was with his
majesty in the southern part of Serbia
at the baths of Vrania. where he was
undergoing treatment The news came
to US of the Serbian retreat from the
plains of the Yadar and from the kolou-
bara You can imagine the sadness OF 1t
all. The Austrians were within ten
leagues OF our great arsenal and ammu-
milton factory at Kragouievatz. and the
occupation of Belgrade seemed certain.
The enemy flattered himself that he
would finish our little kingdom by one
single blow.
His majesty became tactiturn ano
depressed, but on the night OF No
vember 20 he came to dinner radiant
and happy
~ have ordered a train for a. m
tomorrow. l am going to the 'front.' with
my soldiers. We will defeat them or ole
together
AT . In the morning we took the
train together.
AT the last railway station. an au-
tomobile met us. From Roudnik the
King was carried by two soldiers on n
litter. He appeared to gain strength
at every yard, and when finally the
soldiers brought him to the second line
trenches he was half smiling. half cry
ing with Joy. He descended from the
litter, seized the flag and kissed II de-
voutly. Soldiers came running from all
sides.
"Cling To This Flag"
Men, 1t seems that you are tHeu,
said his majesty The Austrians have
invited you not to fight any more, to
return to your wives and families. You
are free to do what you will. but for
me, l shall cling TO this flag. / shall
fight to the last with those who choose
TO remain with me.
There was moment or Impressive
silence Then the mayor of nearpy
village, the highest ranking oiiicer OF
the reserves present, stepped forward.
'Gospodarou.' (sire) hs said, we are
with YOU to the end. Erery man mere
Wfil die before he ytelds.'
THAT night we slept in nearby vil-
lage. The next morning we rejoined the
aimy at Kotsmay. They escorted US to
n village where the first line trenches
rested and Austrian shells were railing
all about us. ,- a..
1T was impossible 10 restrain his
majesty. He dropped his cane and non
bled into the firing line. He picked
up the rife Of a dead soldier and began
firing Only when his troops, inspired
by the presence OF their aged King,
leaped out of the trenches with roar
Of cheers and began driving the enemy
before them in q bayonet charge. did
he desist.
thoroughly retuvenated. He walked
without his cane and acted like boy
of ten. lie kept pace with the Serpians
who were advancing rapidly in ful pur-
suit Of the Austrians.
lat Torlak. just in front OF Belgrade.