The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-07-29
Fighting Against Austria, Their
Capture Means Nothing
but Execution.
MONT LEAVE THEIR DEAD
All Fallen Comrades Carried From The
Field 1hsse vaIorous Warriors
ssisct Their Own offiesrs and
Eliminate Weak and Unnt.


X0R44AWA AO0RVtAOgAC0 VA ktAANA4A -
can News Bureau.)
Italian Front.-The Slav soldiers In
the Italian army elect their own y
periors by the most rigid tests, and
thus they are representative Of the
manhood of their nationalfties. The
Italian soldiery and people have taken
kindly to them.
The first Of the proofs Of valor they
gave are admirable, although limited
to modest operations In exploring and
raiding. Whether by themselves or
with Italian troops. these Cxech-Sl0-
walks. arriving from beyond the ocean.
have kept up the fire Of patriotism and
the ardor to fight, and have fought
well.
The repatriates Of the Cxecho-Slovakt
army have been saluted already with
brOtherly love by the population In the
rome Of war. especially by the ancient
inhabitants OF the veneto, who have
the most recent and liveliest recollec-
tion Of oppression and the convulsive
struggle for redemption.
The women Of Verona offered them q
battle nag In the Bohemian colors. sur
mounted by q lion. The soldiers recog-
nlsed the sanctity Of the gift and
GWore m oath that they would die for
that emblem Of liberty. The express
don was not rhetorical and the oath
ouperluous.
Are Killed II Captured.
The fate that awaits these new war
riors for the ideals Of . far-on and
oppressed country Is shown by the In
flexible military rules Of the Austrian
empire. They are all subjects Of the
Emperor Carl and as such death In the
only thing In store for them II cap
tured.
Their word Is for that reason sacred.
Neither alive nor dead must they fall
into the hands Of the enemy. Even the
dead must be snatched from the op-
pressor. Each one has sworn to carry
a to the Italian lines the body Of =
compatriot killed In action.
Recently. during . reconnaissance.
I Bohemian fell close to the enemy
slines. Drawing a hot IRE. the explorers
hurried to carry him OF. fearing that
In Z night sortie the Austrians might
get the body.
These soldiers OF death" know that
n an operation fails Of success they
must kill themselves. To the igno-
minious death inflicted by the enemy
they prefer suicide. Whether through
death by the enemy or through their
own hands. they have consecrated their
Hives 20 the distant fatheriand. from
which they have come to fight in the
greatest cradle Of all liberty and all
ideals-Italy.
Eliminate Weak and UnnE.
Rome, the ancient lighthouse Of CIV.
llity and Of liberty. has substituted
these new companions In arms for
those or Russia. These warriors for
Ne freedom Of their country have
found In the ranks Of our own combat
ants fraternity and sturdy faith. This
maternity. more than common ideals
eor the redemption Of their respective
countries, II cemented by the know
lodGo and vision Of the real difficulties
and the resolution and nrmness Of
purpose OF the new combatanta From
thelr own ranks on Z spontaneous vote
they have eliminated all about whose
military vigor or enthusiasm there
could be any doubt. - that the recruits
represent the flower Of the soldiery Of
~ oppressed nationalities. Drawn
.(rom the zane country. speaking the