The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-06
UKRANE'SGRAN
SUPPLY DESTROYED
DYCZECHO3SL0vAKS

Amid the many easy triunphs
which enabled the Teutons this year
to slice great sections from the map
OF Russia. Ike coupons from a bond,
Germany and Austria both suffered
one frightfu1 disappointment. And
the pang was in the weakest part
OF their political anatomy-the col
leetive stomach OF their peoples.
The grain OF which the two Kali
sers expected to plunder the Ukraine
was not there-at least there was
20 little OF IL that Germany had to
lower her bread ration while Austria
continued to starve bit more rap
idly. The supplies had been burned
Burn Grain stores.
These fires were lighted, with q
kind OF poetic justice. BY the REM
nants Of the Czecho-Slovak ARMY
deserters'. from the Austrian ranks
and fnveterate4 enemies OF the Haps-
burgs, who had beea Reconstructed
into Russian military units under
the Kerensky regime and fought 90
splendidly for Russia before thu
whole nation collapsed from the
craving OF the BolshsVilxl.
Until March Of this year thil
Czecho-Slavok army had been sta
toned In the Ukraine-5o,O 900 men
in line and $4,000 more IN reserve.
Then BOlsheviki Representatives dis
solved their organization and took
away their arms, though about TO-
900 refused TO part with their weap-
os. They were given promises that
they would be allowed to leave Rus
STA for the United States, hat, OF
lcourse, no means OF Transportation
was provided. And 50 they remain
ed where they were
II was fortunate for the allies
that they did. as they realized that
Germany's chief objective IN Rus
STA was the Ukranian grain supply
they began a systematic campaign
OF pillage and burning. In which they
were assisted BIZ the peasants them
selves. aroused at the thought that
the old landowners were to return
under German protection.
BIaned By Cz.rnIs.
The evidence that the czecho-sIo--
walks were successful IL ,incontestible.
Count Czernin, Austro- Hungarian
prime minister until his little ex-
change OF pleaEantries with NJ Gle
menceaf1.r placed the responsibility
for the bare -Ukranian Cupboard on
the shoulders Of the Czecho-Slovaks.
German representatives IN the Aus
trtan Heiehsrat repeated the charge
in greater detail. A Magyar deputy
In the Hungarian parliament recent
~ declared that the iCzecho-Slovak
army in Ukraine had burned or
taken away everything Of value.
Not only did they destroy what they
could, but they fought bitterly to pre-
vent. the Teutons taking what was
left Retiring and hampered by their.
lack Of equipment, they stopped to
meet the advancing Germans repeat
edly in the field. Their last battle.
one OF those confused struggles which
get little space in the cable reports.
was fought near Baehmac. half way
between Kieff and Kursk on the road
to Moscow. After the fight, though
the Czech-SlovslSs bad been armed
chiefly with axes. they themselves
buried more than 800 Germans
Certainly In Ukraine the Czecho-
Slovaks have had their revenge for
three centuries OF suifocation~and op-
preston in Bohemia But throughout
the war they have launched shatter-
ing blows against their Austrian and
German enemies and the whole idea
OF Mittel-Europa-
As early as August 10. 1914. riots
against mobilization began at Prague.
and thenceforth Czech soldiers and
Bohemian nationals have been a ire
mendous disintegrating influence both
on the eastern front and in the heart
OF Austria
There are $4,000 veteran Czeeho-
Slovak soldiers in Siberia waiting
to come to the United States. where
the Bohemian National Alliance will
care for them and send them on to
France-10,0O0 in Vladivostok. 10000
in IrkutslI. and the rest in other CEN
ters. There are 10000 more stfll In
old Russia who expect to make the
same exodus a little later.
Few people realize how even now
the Czecho-Slovak lighting men are
scattered down the battle line There
are 10000 In the French trenches.
% O00 in Italy. and several thousand
more at SalohikL In places as IN
likely as Australia, Algiers, and No
rocco they are forming fresh battal-
ions, and 10000 are said to be In
the armies OF the United States