The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-07-30

HTIUY tItCl tIitih OWh ny thS
most rigid tests, and thus are repre-
sentative Of the manhood of their na.
tionalities. 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 Czecho-Slo-
vaks, arriving from beyond the ocean,
have kept up the fire Of patriotism and
the ardor to fight, and have fought
well.
Austria has under arms about B.
OOO. 900 men, Of whom there must be
100000 on the firing line. Among
them the oppressed races, Bohemians,
Poles, Slovaks form the majority. The
agitation among these men aiming at
liberty, independence or at least to
withdraw from German or Magyar
domination has attained threatening
forms, and only extreme concessions
OF equal rights will cOndone the saw
age iniquities of the empire.
The Czecho-Sloyak officers at the
front. who bring herOism to manifes-
tations of their country an outsider
does not perceive, say that even more
violent agitation will not attain the
desired revolution or an overthrow OF
the empire, because there is not the
fundamental setting for q successful
revolt.
People Are Held Down.
In the country and in the villages
| the gendarmes assistenz and the mus
sulman agents Of the schultz corps
have absolute power over the few in
habitants exempted from war serv-
ice. In the big cities the rifles and
machine guns entrusted to the SOL
diers Of opposing races can be turned
on revolutlonists easily. as happened
recently in Prague, where troubled
were put down pitilessly by the most
ferocious enemies Of the Czech, the
Hungarians.
However. the same steadfast pur-
pose can be far more troublesome
when found in the enemy camp where
Czechs and Slovaks are present on the
italian front.
The Austrian commanders are
doubtless masters Of the political
composition Of their own effectives.
The numerous "Politisch univerles.
siech," political undesirables, are
) registered on the army records
Identification cards are scattered
among the loyal troops and always sub
ject to vigilant surveillance.
For a long time, no delicate task
has been entrusted to them. but the
pact Of Rome automatically suppress
ed the reasons for existing disputes
with the Slav races in the empire. II
has also brought really q large mum
ber of ''political suspects" over to the
Italian camp. tr
: The Austrian military authorities
. after the pact Of Rome, meditated new
: restrictions and regulations to keel
J. their troops from the contagiOn of con
, tact with Czecho.Slovaks in the Ital
/. ian first lines. They vigorously sup
q pressed every sign of unrest; the!
:, drew off from their battle lines all re
crults of Bohemian. Sloyak or Czecl
nationality, but they soon stopped
shifting about and resOrted to sewers
: punishments and shooting.
J. However, all this could not brinl
anything but endless anxiety to tn
Austrian commanders. All went Il
# undermine the morale Of the army
p md alienated more and more soldier
from the unredeemed parts Of ItalI
(Italia Irredenta), especially whej
they have brother or friend fight
ing under the Italian flag.
t. Swear Never to Be Taken.
g The repatriates Of the Czecho-Sloval
s army have been saluted already Wit
n brotherly love by the population In tn
IS zone of war, especially by the ar
s cient inhabitants of the VenetO, VIII
have the most recent and liveliest ret
4. objection of oppression and the col
y vulsive struggle for redemption.
A. The women of Verona offered thel
n a hattie flag in the Bohemian color
II surmounted by a lion. The soldier
a recognized the sanctity Of the gift an
n swore an oath that they would dl
1t for that emblem Of liberty. The e!
II pressiOn was not rhetorical and tf
ID oath superfuous.
- The fate that awaits these new wa
riors for the ideals Of far-oh an
!" oppressed country is shown by the Il
" flexible military rules of the Austria
IN empire. They are all subjects Of II
)S Emperor Carl, and as such death Is II
only thing in store for them If CO
tured.
q. Their word is for that reason 8
NJ cred. Neither alive nor dead mu
they fall into the hands Of the e
=. ciny. Even the dead must be snatc
~ ed from the oppressor. Each ol
Dr has sworn to carry of to the Italii
t. lines the body of compatriot kill
u in action.
In the last days, during reconnol
= sance, Bohemian fell close ~ Il
enemy lines. Braving q hot FIRE, Il
explorers hurried to carry him o
fearing that in a night sortie the Az
= triens might get the body.
These "solders Of death" know th
II nm one,ntiOn fails of success th