The Washington times., 1918-02-11
GERMANS KEEP UP
SCHOOLS TO SOW
SEEDSOF UNREST

WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
ITALY, Feb. 1o.-Since early in 1915.
Germany has maintained at various
points Eithin her empire great
schools for the education and creation
among Russian prisoners of pacihsts
and revolutionists who were later
sent into Russia for the purpose of
overthrowing the Russian govern
ment and undermining the morale of
the Russian army.
The results obtained in Russia by
this system were so satisfactory that
during the summer of 1917 a similar
'F ri e e II spropaganda Offiziers-
Schulz" for work among Italian pris
oners was In process of formation.
It was in charge OF an officer who
had secured remarkable results in
the Russian prisoners schools. The
Austro- German drive against Italy in
October is presumed to have put an
end to the plans for this school
While allied military authorities
have for long time past been in
possession of q certain amount of In
formation relative to the existence Of
ers captured on the italian front that
they have been able to secure at last
the full details.
Designed To Undermine Army.
Apparently the parent school was
established at Freystadt, in Moravis,
in the esrly part of 1915. 1t was de-
signed especially for the overthrow OF
the Russian government, and. the un-
dermining of the discipline Of the
Russian army.
About 10000 Russian prisoners, Sc
lected from those portions OF the Rus
sion empire where the inhabitants
are known as Little Russians" were
concentrated in a camp surrounding
the school They were given treat
ment so exceptional that they had
moving picture shows and musical en-
tertainmeRts.
The professors" who professed TO
be Russian refugees, gave daily lee
lures to groups OF 400 prisoners each,
the lectures lasting from in the
morning until noon and from till 3
In the afternoon.
The lecturers preached hate against
the Russian imperial government,
which was declared guilty OF having
started the war: The Evangile was
explained in detail and tho auditors
were invited to become members Of
"Abstaining Sects whose doctrine was
that It is forbidden by the Bible to
kill your neighbor even in war.
When these pupils seemed sufficient
iy inculcated with these doctrines
they were given civilian clothes and
money and sent back into Russia to
continue the propaganda Any who
did not accept these doctrines were
quickly hustled away.
Have zoo GProfessors.D
A similar school and camp was also
established at Grodic In Salzbourg
where 10000 prisoners were taught
by no less than 200 professors" The
prisoners were told that one must
not kill under any circumstances
whatsoever, and that the soldier must
fire in the air instead OF at his
brother.
In 1916 these schools were multi
piled in both Prussia and Austria
where among other professors" the
Socialist leaders Of the central pow
ers were included. They preached to !
the prisoners the warfare against the |
capitaIistic and wealthy classes Of
Russia Scheidemann IS declared by
prisoners to have been present often !
at these schools.
The prisoners who were picked !
from these schools for future propa-
ganda work in Russia were sent to |
the front where they were given ia |
cilities for escaping back into Russia. |
Many were given special missions |
such as the destruction OF military ,
depots and munition warehouses.
II was In this manner that three |
hours before the beginning OF the !
Austrian offensive in Galicia, four ex- |
prisoners, who had been previously |
instructed in their part, blew up the |
principal Russian munition depots in !
the vicinity OF Tarnopol.