The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-08-06
SOLDIERS Of DEATH REFUSE TO -
i let. the ENEMY TAKE THEIR DEAD
Each Sav With the italian Army Has Sworn to Carry OFT to tho
italian Lines the Body Of Comparot Killed in Action
I As Subjects Of Austrian Emperor Death Is Only
{ Thing in Store for Those Captured.

(epecia, corresp ondencs Of italian Ameri
~ 1870 can News Bureau)
4 The Slav soldiers In the Italian
army elect their own superiors by thu
J most rigid tests, and thus are repre-
sentative Of the manhood of their ma
tionalities. The Italian soldicry ant
people have taken kindly to them.
The first OF the proofs OF valor they
raye are admirable, although limited
10 modest operations in exploring ant
rnidipr, Whether by themselves Of
with Italian troops these Czecho.Slo
vaks, arriving from beyond the occan
have kept up the fire of patriotism and
the ardor to fight. and have fought
we'll. -
Austria has under arms about o.
100000 men. Of WHOM there must ne
1000. OOO on the firing line. Among
then, the oppressed rachs. Rohemnns
Poles. Slovaks form the majority. The
agitation among these men aiming at
liberty, independence or at l'nst to
Withdraw from German or Magyar
domination has attained threatening
forms, and only extreme concessions
Of equal rights will condone the saw
age iniqulties Of the empire.
The Czecho- Slovak officers at the
front who bring heroism TO mnnifes'
tations Of their country an Outsider
does not perceive. SAY that even more
violent agitation will not attain the
desired revolution or MT overthrow OF
the empire, because there IS not the
fundamental setting for successful
revolt.
:j People Are Held Down.
In the country and In the villages
the genda rmes assstenz and the mus
aulman agents Of the schultz corps
haze absolute power over the few In
habitants exempted from war scrv-
ice. In the hig cities the rifles and
machine guns entrusted to the sol.
diers Of opposing races can he turned
IN revolutionists easily. az happened
recently In Prague. where troubles
we're put down pitllessly, by the most
ferocious enemies Of the Czech, the
hungarians. :..,'
Z: However, the snme. steadfast pnr-
pose can he 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 Z, the political
composition AZ their own electives.
The numerous "Po,itisch univerles.
Aech,'.. political undesirables. are
registered on the army records.
Identification: cards are scattered
among the loyal. troops and always sub.
ject. vigilant, surveillance.
For q 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. 1T
has also brought really a large mum.
ber OF political suspects, over to the
ltniinn camp. +: =. +
!. The Austrian military authorities,
after the pact Of Rome. n1editated new
restrictions and regulations to keep
their troops from the contugiOn Of CON
tact with Czecho.Slovaks In the Ital-
zap first lines. They vigorously sup
pressed every sign Of unrest; they
drew of from their battle lines all re-
crults Of bohemian, Slovak or Czech
nationality, but they soon stopped
shifting about and resorted to severe
punishments and shooting.
However, NIL this could not bring
anything but endless anxiety to the
Austrian commanders. All went to
undermine the morale OF the army.
and alienated more and more soldiers
from the unredeened parts Of Italy
(1talia 1rredpnta). especially when
they have o br0ther or n friend fight
ing under the italian flag.
Swear Nevsr 10 Be Taken.
:: The repntriates Of the Czecho. Slovak
army have heen salutpd already with
brotherly love by the population in the
zone, of war, especially by the an
cIent inhabitants Of the veneto. who
haxe the most recent and livelIest rec
objection !of oppression and the con.
;vulsive struggle for redemption.
The women ~ Verona offered them
a battle hag in the Bohemian colors,
surn,ounted by. lion. The soldiers
recognized the sanctity 81 the gift and
sWore an oath that they would die
for that emblem Of liberty. The ex-
preston was not rhetorical and the
oath superduous.
4 The fate Tint waits these new war.
riors fer the ideals 'of a far-off 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 is the
only thing In store for them II cap.
tured.
Their word IL for that reason "a.
cred. Neither alive. nor dead must
they fall into the hands Of the en-
eIny. Even the dead must he snatch.
ed from the oppressor. Each one
has; sworn to carry on to the Italian
lines the body Of compatriot killed
In. action.
.. - =
In the last days. during reconnois.
sance, Bohemian fell close to the
enemy lines. Drawing hot fire. the
explorers hurried to carry him or
fearing that In . night sortie the Aus.
fRiana mi nh ~ rot Tho hodr ~