The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21
ARE SLAVES
OF GERMAN ARMY
BiaIyStock Refugee Tells of Ex-
plOitation of PoIand-Star-
walton and Ruin Every
where.

The Belgians are not the only peo-
pie in Europe who are being involun-
tarily taken away from their families
and sent into Germany" is the asser-
ton of Hyman Orleans, who arrived
yesterday from Bialystok, Russia, now
occupied by the Germans. This meth
cd has been practiced by the Germans
in Poland" said Mr.. Orleans, ever
since their occupation Of that territory.
Not only men, but even women are be-
ing shipped like cattle into distant Ger
man industrial centerS, where the are
given employment at n average pay
of 2la marks q day. Thousands of fam
lilies in Poland have been separated.
and left penniless, the earnings OF
the employed not being enough to drag
along their own existence"
Mr.. Orleans was in BialyStok at the
outbreak of the war, n has witnessed
many a bloody battle in the neighbor-
hood Of that city. where he Russians
and Germans fought for nine months
for the possession of OssoWetS, a fort
ress, 40 miles west of Bialystok. Time
and again the city was bombarded, kill
ing hundreds OF inhabitants. When the
city was finally captured, on August
IS, 1915, after a bloody battle in the
outskirts Of Bialystok. half Of the city
was annihilated by the shells OF the
fighting rmies.
Bialystok was q leading textile CEN
ter in Poland, where thousands OF
wOrkmen were employed. Now, every
factory has been completely RACED by
the Russians, before leaving the city.
and 1t looks more like a big, sleepy VIII
lage than a city. The electric plants,
water works, gas works. street cars.
everything, is out of commission, and
no vehicle Is to be seen on the sleepy
streets OF the city. Thousands of aged
and hungry persons walk aimiessly
along the streets, in vain search for a
piece Of bread.
Seven pounds OF bread and 8S pounds
of potatoes are being allowed monthly
for each person, but thousands cannot
afford to buy ven this small amount
Of food. The free kitchens, established
by the Jewish and American relief So
~cieties do not give sufficient nourish-
ment, the only meal being a soup COM
posed OF plain water and potatoes.
Mr.. Orleans thinks that Poland's
crop was enough to feed its population
and even part Of Germany, but the
grain was taken away from the peas
ants into the interior OF Germany, and
the owners given worthless receipts.
Poland is producing thousands OF o
Of wool, but still not a pound Of it is
TO be found there. Everything Of use
Is being BORROWER by the German
military authorities.
Speaking about the present condi-
tons in Poland, Mr.. Orleans said:
The Germaa regime, in some ways is
more liberal than the Russian. al
though the inhabitants are being CON
fronted every day with new military
rules and regulations pasted all over
the city on the telegraTI poles, but
still people cannot live on fresh air
and water. Under the Russians the
people had at least enough bread, but
| now they are actually starving"
Since the occupation of Bialystok by
the Germans. thousands OF inhabitants
have died from lack OF food, and should
the war be prolonged for another year
hardly one-tenth Of the population in
| Poland will survive, concluded Mr.,
q. leans.