The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-21
STAY II OFFICERS
False RumOr Started Mutiny in
Russian Army.
German Spies Turned Finland
City Into SHAMELESS.
STORY. ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE
Reported General Refused To
Go to Kerensky's Aid.
Ten Thrown in River and Shot
to Death; One Drained.
STORY. ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE
BY WILLIAM G. SHEPHERD.

Copyright 1917 by The United Press)
Stoo k h m, Sept. 21--German
agents made Viborg, city of Finland,
not a hundred miles from Petrograd,
a place of horror.
Loyal Russian soldiers threw ten of
their officers, including two gener-
ais, into the river and then shot at
them until all but one disappeared in
the swirling waters.
This one, a colonel clambered up
the bank, only to be Drained by one
of his men.
Another officer was found in his
home and his head half severed. Still
another was found 1ynched in
woods
The German agents had spread ru-
mors that Premier Kerensky, then lat
bay because of Korniloffs success
full rebellion" had requested troops of
General Vassiluf commander general
of Finland, to aid in defense of Petro-
grad, and that Vassiluf had refused
his appeal and his orders.
Many Scenes of Terror.
The story was absolutely untrue.
But the soldiers rose in mutiny. de-
handing that democracy be defend
ed. AS the loyalty of the bulk of the
, army has again demonstrated, 1 am
able today to tell of the scenes of
| terror that accompanied last weeks
crisis
| Members of the workmen's and
soldiers council claim that Korniloff
executed an entire regiment of his
men at Tarnopol. During the revolt
many of the troops, turned the tables
and executed their officers.
When 1 went to the cable Office and
filed my dispatch to the United Press
that the Korn:loff revolt had been
crushed, the censor remarked:
THE lives of his officers are not
worth a cent if that is true
The NibOrg horror occurred one
week ago today. The German-inspired
story spread like wildfire among the
| troops They were moved to the an
ger almost of insanity. They mutt
MED and stalked forth to seize their
officers.
Seized Comma nding Officer.
Many were thrown instantly into
Vassiluf himself. with nine others
all high army officers, including Cen
eral Ornofski and Colonel Karenius-
were seized.
These ten. the Infatuated soldiers
dragged to the Port Abo bridge. There
| they threw them into the water. And
while they swan desperately for the
shore Russian soldiers fired at the
helpless officers.
A great crowd gathered. Women
| tainted at the sickening cruelty.
panic ensued in the packed bridge and
MANY Wei luJuIoQ III Strug-
giles to reach the banks again.
For half an hour this target prac-
tice at the officers continued Then
most of them were either killed, over
come with their wounds or exhausted
by their efforts to keep afioat.
Brain Sole Survivor.
In some incredible way Colonel
Karnenius managed to reach the pier.
There he climbed up. group of in
furiated soldiers confronted him. He
drew his revolver and fired. killing
several of his men. Then a great
Russian soldier struck out his brains
with an iron rod.
I personally visited Viborg on my
way to Stockholm. The details as
written above were attested by nu-
merous witnesses. saw troops
dredging the river underneath the
bridge, seeking the bodies of the of
fcers they had murdered. They had
recovered seven bodies.
One colonel, 1 was told, was found
at his home. dining with his family,
by a group of soldiers, half insane with
anger at the German-inspired report
of the officers alleged refusal to aid
Kerensky. The colonel was seized and
his neck half severed as he stood be-
fore mis- family.
Colonel DUNN, of the Cossacks, was
found dead in the woods, killed by
soldiers-another victim of German
agents preying on the Russian troops
LOYALTY to KprPpSkv