Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-05
SUFFERING
IN SERBIA
IS INTENSE
Associated Press Correspondence

associated f'feSS Correspondence
Skopyle Serbia, Jan l5-Serbia,
once the focal point Of the European
war, but later almost lost TO view in the
Inaelstrom which swept the greater
powers into the struggle, gives ample
evidence Of having borne her just pro-
portion q the sacrifices of the nations
Suffering on all sides is intense, but
III, spirit Of the troops is Qndaunted.
since the recent defeat Of the Aus
mans freed Serbian soil OF invaders,
plans have rapidly gone forward for
war-the offensive Hundreds of
wounded soldiers in the hospitals have
toId The correspondent Of The Associ-
ated rress that they feel their second
life purpose will be lost il they are I'M
able to help in the deliverance Of their
tlnsnen en- Austro- Hungarian terrific
y. The serbian offensive will be
shared by the Russians and the hope
- expressed here and at Nish that
i.oumanian troops also will be in the
column hurled across the Hungarian
frontier.
The motto Of the Serbian army is
something 10 defend; something to
reclaim" The something 10 defend was
he Independence Of their kingdom
The something TO reclaim is that part
q he ancient Serbian empire which
even after the victories over the Turks
and Bulsars. sti1 lies outside the lin
It's Of the Serbian hingdOm.
The traveller in Serbia is somewhat
dazed at first 10 discover among the
vic s,+ 90
Serbs OF the purest race and tongue.
Living in Austrian territory they were
forced 10 serve in that army until a
surrender gave them the opportunity
to serve their own country. Some are
helping in the military hospitals while
others are doing scout and picket duty
along the Albanian border.
Lying far beyond the European war
center. Serbia seemed q difficult desti-
nation for 4 Journey beginning at New
York. but experience proved easier
than anticipation. Belgrade the front
door OF the Balkans was Impossible in
deed but Salonika. the back door, was
found Hospitality open. In wartime
back doors and side alleys are apt to
he safer and quicker means Of getting
about than guarded doors and fortified
frontiers
With Paris easily attained. the rail
Journey from there to Brinidsi, via
Turin and Milan. differed little from
what il might have been in ordinary
times. The crowds OF uniformed SOL
diers at the stations and the remark
able number of women in mourning
however, gave evidence Of the changes
Of the past few months. Swift little
Italian steamers make the journey
from Brindisi TO Salonika an enjoyable
one. ending always with an inspiring
view Of Mount Olympus upon which
the Greek peasants still believe the
ancient gods sit in Judgment over
the fate of Greece.
Clean, comfortable, first class cars
take the traveller from Salonika to
Djeteh at the Serbian frontier A
change Of trains a. this point brings no
deterioration in railroad facilities
These trains are daily crowded
with Serbians Of the better class who
left their homes in the interior dur
ing the Austrian invasion. but are re-
turning to them, assured it Is safe to
do so.
At Djejeli the chief of customs, Mr.
Simitch. invited the correspondent of
The Associated Press, together with
other foreigners, into his Office where
Turkish coffee and cigarettes We're
served This courtesy was repeated
by officials at nearly every station
where the train stopped and Is one
with which the traveller meets in all
parts of the Balkans.
A splendid new municipal building at
Djejeli was converted into hospital
soon after the war began. AS soon as
the wounded were able to leave the
oyercrowded hospitals at the front
they were sent to such remote spots
as this. The hospital is scrupulously
clean. In mid December some so men
were lying on iron bedsteads, all look
ing comfortable and well cared for,
though there were no nurses. A num-
Der Of Austrian prisoners Of Serbian
race were acting as orderlies to the
two doctors in charge. For prisoners
of the enemy TO be serving as nurses