Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-09
BABOUNSKY A ROBIN HOOD
Power of Guerilla Chief Regarded
as Almost Supreme Throughout
Turkish Portion of Serbia.
TERROR OF THE EVIL DOER

Correspondence Of the Associated Press.)
GBVGHELI, Serbia, Dec. 3O.-One of the
most Picturesque figures OF the Euro
pean war is the Serbian ''Somitadji or
guerilla Ivan Stoikovitch, known to fame
as BabounslSy. The name is drawn from
the Babouna pass, where recently the
Serbs so long held the invading Bull
garisns at bay. Ivan Stoikovitch comes
from that part OF Serbia and is there
fore known to his followers and to the
Serbian population at large by a nick
name indicating the fact.
A slight man. tall, with honest gray
blue eyes and the pale features Of a
student, he impresses the stranger with
anything but the terror which his name
inspires. Nor do his looks belle his real
profession. For the redoubtable Baboun-
sky was a school teacher until fired by
an ardent patriotism he gave up his
classes TO gather about him a band OF
intrepid spirits in the fight for the re-
lease of the Turkish part Of Serbia from
the Ottoman yoke.
Ever since the first Balkan war he and
his followers have been under arms.
Unrecognized by the laws OF war, they
have taken their own risks of capture
and instant execution. Their refuge is
in the Serbian mountains. and they have
been willing to trust their security to
their own astuteness and the impreg-
inability OF their numerous hiding places
Sort of Robin Hood.
| During the brief periods separating the
first Balkan war from the second and
the second Balkan war from the present
European struggle, the internal admin
istration of Serbia was in such a state
of disorder that IL seemed TO Babounsky
better to retain his band under arms and
to assist in the administration OF rough
and ready justice than to send his fol-
flowers to their own flresides. In this
capacity even in the short intervals OF
peace he kept his name as n kind of
modern Robin Hood, the friend of the
weak and the terror of the evil doer.
Especially since the complete break
down of the Serbian administration fol-
lowing the flight OF the government to
Scutari, has Babounsky become a per-
sonRge of prime importance in Serbia
Before the advancing German and Bull
garian armies, town after town was
Evacuated. Sometimes the Inhabitants
were able to make a few OF their be-
llongings with them; more often they
were force to leave with the clothes
they wore as their only possessions. But
ESPECIALLY in the southern part of Serbia,
where the greater part Of the Inhabitants
are really of Turkish or Bulgarian ex-
Traction. only the Serbs fled and the
Turks and the Bulgarians remained.
While waiting for the arrival of the
larmies of their compatriotE. they were
not averse to going through the deserted
Serbian dwellings and acquiring a few
useful articles.
Quickly Disposed OF.
Babounsky did not approve of this.
Naturally the deserted dwellings and all
in them would fall into the hands of the
Iconquerors. That was all right-the
chance OF war. But that former neigh
bors should do the looting was not in
Babounsky's code. And those who tried
1t were dealt with in most summary
manner.
Whoever. among the BuIgarians was
suspected Of giving information 10 the
advancing Bulgar armies also received
short shrift. A story is told of the first
Balkan war when a certain pseudo-Sert
known as Kechko was suspected of
treason TO the Serbian cause, Baboun-
skys band appeared upon the scene one
night and Kechko and four others were
ldETebLeQs urea IN hecfeI ny the Ddnu AT
midnight and sentenced TO be sent TO
SalonilSi, that IS, taken TO the banks OF
the Vardar river. stabbed and thrown
In, their bodies to drift down with the
current to Saloniki. All five were lined
upon the bank. Babounsky gave the signal
for the fatal blows to be struck. But UNI
| fortunately Kecko's eNecutioneer, a law
lyer from Belgrade, had never killed a
man before and his hand slipped. The
five bodies were thrust into the Vardar
but Kechko was still alive.
week later the Serbian consul at Sa
lonih was called 10 the hospital
Kechko told him the story OF his escape
from death, but begged that il be kept
secret until after his departure for the
United States. Ultimately recovered from
the unskillful stab OF the Belgrade law
yer, Kechko quietly departed for Amer
Iica where he lives still, unterrified by the
famous guerilla.
Whenever the allied troops have need OF
fresh meat or wood or mules one OF the
officers acquaints a Serbian with whai
il required. The next day twenty sheep
} two cords OF wood or 100 mules ar,
brought into Negotin or Kaphadar as tbs
case may be by a Serbian peasant. The
peasant collects an equitable sum FOL
: the goods delivered and In time each
= Serbian who has been Involuntary levieC
upon for lamb or wood OF mule receives
his payment. Bsbounsky does not ever
keep a commission.
When, too. either Serb or Bulgar il
i one OF the towns occupied by the allied
: troops behaves in q grasping or dishones
way towards the French or the British
4 It is not long before the punishment ar
rives. The punishment may take various
: forms, from death for treason to
dozen blows with a stout stick for cheat