The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-24


 heard constantly about the Czecho- Slovaks and the aid they are giving to the Italian army. This as a matter of the greatest interest to me. Although l knew something about the dauntless yigor of these brave people, had not appreciated the importance of the work they are doing for the Italians and for all the allied forces.
 |, I first encountered a number of the Czecho-Slovak soldiers, one morning in Captain Merriam's office in Rome. When they came in, I could not help noticing them because of their gal lant bearing and splendid physique 1 inquired who they were, anad was told that they were frequent visitors in Captain Merriam's office, and that they were rendering valuable aid in carrying propaganda among the Aus trian forces. They have also given important information to the Italian general staff, and have supplied data which proved extremely useful in turning the recent Austrian offensive into a complete fiasco.
 After this, I saw a good many Czecho-Slovaks soldiers, both in IAOIlS anu Oli lII0 1ldllnil pdlIIC IIOAib. And I must say that I saw no finer, more soldierly fellows in all my trip through Europe. The boldness they have shown in leaving the Austrian ranks is really amazing. Thoroughly convinced that Austria Hungary has no other purpose toward the CZecho- Slovak people than to oppress and exploit them, the Czechs in the Aus trian army have deserted wholesale and joined the Italian forces. On one single day, so I was told, as many as 1000 Czecho-Slovak deliberately left the Austrians and entered the Italian camp. The total number of Czecho- Slovaks now in Italy, including 2O.- 900 soldiers, I was assured was not far short of 3O.0Oo.
 Of course, these men are primed with all sorts of military information. They were able to tell the Italians much about the Austrian plans of at tack prior to the launching of the of fensive. The Italians knew the day and in some cases even the exact hour at which certain Austrian movements were to be launched. Their victories on the Piave in which the co-opera- ton of the Czecho- -Slovaks was a big item, have gone far to console the Italians for the bitter events of Sa- poretto.
 Besides actually fighting for the al- lies the Czecho-Slovaks have been assiduously spreading allied propa- ganda through the Austrian armies. Just how they are able to do this I do not know, but they undoubtedly have some sort of underground rail- road. Some of the material has been dropped from balloons and aero planes. It is well known that the en- tire Austrian army Is well permeat- ed with Czech influences ana the Czech are now unreservedly united against the Central Powers. The morale of the Austrian army Is at very low ebb just now. From what I saw and heard I believe that if 1t were | today possible to s;'are troops from the western front and guarantee them reserves and equipment, a successful offensive could be launched against Austria this fall and the Dual Mon archy could be effectually put out of the war. With Austria out of 1t. tho war could be ended a year sooner.
 The hatred which the Austrians feel for the Czechs tis almost as in- tense as the Germans hatred of Eng land The Austrians feel that the Czechs have betrayed them, ana never stop to remember the long, long years during which they oppressed them. While I was at the Italian front, I was shown some large spiked clube which looked like relics of barbarian days. They were deadly looking wea- pons. and it seemed almost incredible that they should be brought into use again in this century. Yet I was as- sured that they have actually been used habituallv for braining CZecho. Slovaks. In their whole carnival of brutality, the Central Powers have scarcely been guilty of greater atro. cities than in Austria's treatment ot the Czecho-Slovaks. A few weeks age 800 Czechs were hanged on one day But the Austrian papers reported that "they died with a smile on their lips
 The propaganda which the Centra' Powers have been carrying on arnong the Italian people is pretty vel known by this time and I hays noth. ing new to say about 1t except that Its magnitude and Its insidiousnes: astonished me. I talked with or American lady in a certain big Italian city who said that she had nearly made up her mind to leave that city because of the distorted stories which she continually heard about the wal times of America and Great Britain. Tt is intolerable' she said "te heal them repeat the stories which havt been set going by German agents. Ont story, which many people believe. i! that America and Great Britain ,n. tend to seize Italy and divide it be tween themselves after the war It i. prepostereus, and yet the German kspies have done their work 50 thor oughiy that certain Italians of eduea. ton and intelligence are greatly con fused and Rere or less inclined te distrust us."
 \ The propaganda carried on by the