The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-27
VIENNA, June ~1.-Doubtless the dark

VIENNA, June 1.-Doubtless the dark
est national tragedy in this world wal
Is that of the Poles. There one sees u
distinct chronological entity, a people
whose tongue II tho most musical and
cultivated of all the Slavic languages,
with a fine literature showing names
like that OF Henry X. Sienlicv1cz, Of
universal fame. advanced In all the arts,
Paderewski being a fine example the
most gifted Of all the Slavs. OF high
valor. OF a quality both distinct and ele-
waited. Yet the curse of destiny has
brought II about that this people OF al
together about 20, 600. 900 has been split
up into three unequal parts-roundly.
10000. 900 OF them under RUSSIAN rule,
about 1000. 900 under Austrian and
about 5000. 900 under German rule.
And what the results OF even the pres
ent giant upheaval win be so far as the
Poles are concerned not even the w!sest
can foretcll.
Meanwhile every day tragedies on a
minor scale are happening among the
Poles which, for the most part, will
never see page and printers ink. YH
many are worth the telling Here Is
one in point. I tell II Just as II was
told 10 me. without the slightest at
tempt al coloring the facts. Let tho
reader Judge for himself.
Among the Russian prisoners taken at
Tarnow. Galicia, some three weeks ago
by the Austrian army was n fne. digni-
fled looking man, a General who had
not yielded without first using his sword.
He was Gen. stephen Radyrnno, a Polo
by race and language. but a brave, I'M
Haunted soldier OF the Car. He Is now
recovering from his injuries in one OF the
reserve hospitals of Vienna, and later on
will be taken as prisoner OF war to one
Of the great camps In Bohemia,
Nephew . Deserter.
Gen. Radymno had me misfortune 70
be forced to condemn his f~avor!ts
nephew TO death. He presided at the
c~ourt-martial which sealed the young
mans fate. and his was the deciding
voice that doomed the young man TO
immediate execution for the nephew.
Jan Radymuo. had committed treason.
Although serving in one OF his uncle's
" regiments Us First Lieutenant. lie
had gone over the eremy-to the Polish
Legion fighting under the hncn.r OF the
Hapsburgs. This he had done In tho
middle OF the night. and IN his shabby
quarters. n short distance hack OF tho
trenches, there wac found the next morn
Ing a slip OF paper or which were a few
lines addressed 10 his uncle. the General
SAYING he found himself forced TO
choose between two duties-and that
toward Poland came hrst." Then ne
had added a word or two 70 the General
himself !mplor'ng him 70 follow his ex-
ample and help free Poland from the
Muscovtte yoke"
All this happened early last Deem
Der the Generals trenchcs w.re~h-ld for
Ave months longer. Back Of his posi-
tions were woods. impenetrable. deep In
snow. and INTO them ne was frequently
obliged to send diminishing parties to
attack the rear of the Polish Legion of
Austria, who made frequent raids. The
rumor somehow sprcad in the regiment
10 which Lieut.. Radymro had belonged
that he was with these l~egioraires ard
that he even directed n number OF the
raids and sudden ATTACKS. The Russians
were bitter. n many prisoners zap
tured were given short rhr.ft. one Rus
sian soldier named Destvptuk. who had
belonged to tho "rotte" tsquad) formerly
commanded by Lieut.. R~adyrnno. swore
he had recognized his former officer in