Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-07-25
Especial Correspondence Of italian Ameri
can News Bureau.)

Especial Correspondence Of italian Ameri-
can News Bureau)
The Slav soldiers In the italian
army elect their own superiors by the
most rigid tests, and thus are repre-
sentative of the manhood of their ma
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-
walks, 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 s.
100000 men, Of whom there must be
100000 on the firing line. Among
them the oppressed races, Bohemlans,
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- Slovak 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 a 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
habltants 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 revolutionists easily, as happened
recently in Prague, where troubles
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
composition of their own electives.
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 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 a large num-
Der of political suspects" over to the
italian camp.
The Austrian military authorities,
after the pact Of Rome. meditated new
restrictions and regulations to keep
their troops from the contagion Of con-
tact with Czecho-Slovaks in the Ital-
ian first lines. They vigorously sup
pressed every sign Of unrest; they
drew or from their battle lines all re-
cruits of Bohemian, Slovak or Czech
but they soon stopped
shifting about and resorted to severe
and shooting.
However, oil 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 unredeemed parts Of Italy
Qtalia Irredenta), especially when
they have brother or friend fight
ing under the italian flag.
Swear Never to Be Taken.
The repatriates Of the Czecho- Slovak
army have been saluted already with
brotherly love by the population in the
zone Of war, especially by the an
Client inhabitants Of the Veneto. who
have the most recent and liveliest rec
objection Of oppression and the con-
vulsive struggle for redemption.
The women Of Verona offered them
a battle flag in the Bohemian colors,
surmounted by a lion. The soldiers
recognized the sanctity Of the gift and
swore an oath that they would die
for that emblem Of liberty. The ex-
preston was not rhetorical and the
oath superfluous.
The fate that awaits these new war
riors for 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 is for that reason sa-
cred. Neither alive nor dead must
they fall into the hands of the en-
envy. Even the dead must be snatch
ed from the oppressor. Each one
has sworn 10 carry Off to the Italian
lines the body Of a compatrlot killed
In action.
In the last days, during reconnois-
sance, n Bohemian fell close to the
enemy lines. Drawing hot fire. the
explorers hurried to carry him of.
fearing that In a night sortie the Aus
TRANS might get the body.
q These soldiers Of death" know that
n an operation falls Of success they
must kill themselves. To the igno-
minious death inflicted by the enemy
they prefer suicide. Whether through