The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-23
ATROC|OUS GRIMES
AGAINST THE POLES
Appeal to Civilized World from OPP
pressed People is Made Public
by Council.
HEROIC MARCH TO LIBERTY.
Men, Women and Children, Savagely
Tortured by Heartless Military
Beasts of Germany and Austria,
Invoke Aid of People of America.

Washington, Aug 22.--Two new
chapters IN Polish niseory were made
pubic here today at the headquarters
of the Polish national council one
is the story of a brilliant military
achievement by a handful OF men
against the combined military power
of Germany and Austria. The other
Is an appeal 10 the civilized world.
signed by the Polish peoples party at
LubIin, Poland, which recites a series
of terrible punishments and atrocities
perpetrated upon men, women and
children for their protests against the
further dismemberment of Poland.
The military achievement has to do
with. a march of more than two thou
sands-niies on foot by the Carpathian
iron brigade of the Austrian army.
1t was composed of Poles who re-
VOTED and deserted in body. There
were fourteen thousand officers and
men who fed at night over the Car
pathian mountains. and who fought
their way to freedom. One detach-
ment. which went beyond the Dnieper
river. has since joined the forces OF
tho Czecho -Slovaks. Another and
smaller group, led by Colonel Halter,
reached Archangle.
Pitiable Picture.
Details of the physical features OF
been received, present a pitiable pic
ture OF the hardships of the men.
Provisions gave out time after time;
they were unable to obtain clothes
and, withal, they were in "A country
infested with German agents and thus
compelled to face additional obstruc-
tons Despite all difficulties the two
army groups succeeded in reaching
their destinations.
The contingent that arrived in
ArchanSel marched into the town
without shoes Their feet were bound
in sacks, old clothing and rags. Tnetc
uniforms were tattered and frAyed
and their numbers were dectmated
by death
The other story tells in detail of
the punIshments visited upon these
Poles who protested against the cedtnS
of the district of Choim to the
Ukraine.
Women Arc Whipped.
Boys and girls, men and women
have been whipped TO insenslbility,
their ears have been torn off. pins
have been driven behind their finger
nails. they have been dragged through
the streets by the hair OF their heads
and have been confined in under
ground cells. which were flooded with
Nf@tFI ne b44A%4d4 report OF the
Polish peoples party al LutHn reads
As follows:
In Jaszcxow. eerdarmes drove pegs
into the floor. tied people TO them by
their hands and feet. and beat them.
In D25eraznia, they tied people 10
beams in such a manner that the soles
Of their feet could be logged
In krasnystaw. for two days, the
floors Of underground prison celis
were flooded In order TO friehten ar
rested persons In order to extort
statements from tho arrested persons
they were whipped horribly. They
were struck with the butts OF guns
and canes and were placed on the
ground while their captory pressed
them with their knees In many
places the persons were tied to beams,
and there were cases Of persons being
hanged by their feet and then tor
tured until they became unconscious.
Both young boys, girls and cid
men had to undergo this examination
and hogging.
Many Are Dying.
"A number OF those fiorged are
dying. These facts. which are in our
possession relating to those tortured.
as well as 10 their oppressors. We
transmit to the knowledge OF the
civilized world
ANA tHe fotish people, who with
stood the cruel Russian government.
and witnessed how the greatest OF
Satanic powers was reduced to dust
will not now submit through cruel
persecution. New warriors will rise
The unfaltering work OF creating
power from among the people Will
not cease. We withstood the power
OF Russia. we will also withstand the
power of Austria aud Germany The
power OF the people will not be hin
dered by any worldly power
With faith in the fact that the day
is near at hand. despite the present
superiority and triumphs of the Black
powers. with faith in the fact that
no power can prevent the arrival OF
the recreation OF united and indie
pendent Poland OF the people, We will
persevere in our stand, in our work
and in our battle. The blood of the
victim does not flow in vain The
despoiler will receive his reward. per-
haps sooner than he expects
And the sacrifices OF the martyrs
brings us nearer to the goal for which
we are striving"
Even the nationality feelings Of
these Poles have been ravished the
reports state, by Austrian soldiers
The latter while torturing their vic
Tins, have played the Polish national
airs to drown the cries of their vic