Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-11-17

The funds advanced 10 serbia Dy the
United States government are saving
the lives of the Serbian people" said
the Serbian Minister OF Public Works,
DR.. Monticello Nintchitch, who has
been charged with the expenditure Of
the advances from the American gov
eminent.
DR.. Nintchitch had been telling of
the various uses the American money |
was put to, for hef136,000 Serbian
prisoners in Germany and for intern
ed civilians, refugees, and pensions.
But now he turned to story of the
cruelty and butchery which the Bull.
gars are still prosecuting against the
Serbs.
Serbia has suffered more than any
other country" said DIR. Nintchitch,
"for not even the ruin of Belgium
AMI the devastated regions OF France |
can compare with what Serbia has
suffered. The people of Belgium and
France had seaports TO go to and es-
cape in ships. and they had railways. |
But the Sergian people had no ports
for escape, and when the Monastir
railway line was cut by the Bulgars
they had no railway. So they were
literally caught in a trap, with no
means of egress, except for those who
made the exodus across the noun
tains, the whole peasant population
has come under the control of the
Bulgar invaders. Moreover Belgium
and France have been under the eyes
OF England and America, while Serbia
is cut off from the world, with no
knowledge of what goes on there, and
no mail from there for two years.
'"The Serbian peasants have been
stripped of everything. All their
horses, cattle and livestock have been
taken and their farm machinery has
been destroyed. Men, women and chill
dren have been killed in the most re-
voting manner and on the most film
sly pretext. In this the Bulgars go
far beyond the Austrians, for the Aus
TRANS have a trial and formal con.
demnation to death. But the Bulgars
have no trial or condemnation. The
order to kill is given, and the soldiers
are practically free to take life on
their own judgment without any or
der"
AS documentary evidence of this
killing, the Serbian ministry of foreign
affairs have had photographs. copies
OF which were given to the CORE,
spondent showing six Serb peasants
strung up side by side from rough
stakes driven in the ground, with a
cross-piece above for the moose, while
groups of soldiers and officers arc
gathered about, laughing over the con
tortions of the victims.
THE Bulgar policy is to consider
Serbia and the Serbian people az an
initiated" DR.. Nintchitch went on
ITO this end they hold that the
Serbs no longer exist. and every Serb
must become Bulgar, take a Bulgal
name, and become Bulgar citizen.
"Our Ministry of War, General Ter
Fitch. has just gone through a trying
family experience of this kind. Iii.
aged mother over 10 years old, re
manned in Serbia after the exodus
ms she was too old and feeble to make
the journey All trace of her hat
been lost. but when she was finally
located, General Terzitch applied
through the relief authorities for her
transfer. But to this application the
reply has now come back from the
Bulgar authorities that Nine. Terzitch
cannot leave the country as she had
become n Bulgar citizen.
1.-THE drafting of Serb peasants as
soldiers in the Bulgar ranks is one oil
the worst forms OF cruelty being prac.
ticed. This is systematically carried
out, with notices posted In all public
places telling all men over II years OF
age to report for military duty. This
placing Of whole population in the
military service OF the enemy is an
unheard of cruelty, and contrary to
every rule OF international dealing I'm
time Of war. But II is Justified by the
Bulgar on the theory that Serbia docs
not exist and that the Serbs are Bull.
gars.
"A member OF the Serbian chamber
Of deputies was here yesterday and
gave me narrowing report OF his
iamily still in Serbia One OF the
'oys had already been killed. The
Iecond boy had been ordered to be |
'ome a Bulgar soldier. The mother
rotested. whereupon she was sent to
fish and put In prison, where she