The Washington herald., 1919-04-20

about ten minutes. Next on the pro-
gram was Mrs. Kerensi<y. and was
to follow her. Mrs. Kerensky. how
ever. broke down as soon as che came
out In the limeiight. That did not add
TO my courage. / was led out as n
in a trance.
Plea for Russia.
Men and women citizens" ] heard
my voice say. '-Our mother is perish
ing. Our mother is Russia. I want
to help save her. I want women
whose hearts are crystal. whose souls
are pure. whose impulses are lofty
With such women setting example
of self-saerifice, you men will realize
your duty in this grave hour.'
: Then 1 stopped and could not pro-
ceed. Sobs choked the words In me.
tremors shook me. my legs grew
weak. I was caught under the arm
and led away under a thunderous
outburst OF applause
Registration Of volunteers for the
battalion from among those present
took place the same evening, there
and then. So great was the enthu-
siasm that 1.5oo women applied for
enlistment. 1t was necessary to put
quarters at my immediate disposal
and 1t was decided 10 let me have
the building and grounds of the
Kolomensk Women's Institute, and ]
directed the women to come there on
the morrow. when they would be ex-
amined and officially enlisted.
The newspapers carried accounts OF
the meeting and other publicity
helped to swell the number OF women
who volunteered to join the Battalion
Of Death to 2.0oo They were gathered
in the garden of the Institute. all
in a state OF tubilation. arrived
with Stan Capt. Kuzmin. assistant to
Gen. Polovezeo. Capt. DeInentier. as
sistant to Gen. -Anosov. who was in
troduced to me as a man very inter
ested in my idea. He looked about 50
and was of impressive appearance.
He wanted to help me. he explained.
In addition. there was about a score
of newspaper men. ] mounted a ta-
bic in the center of the garden and
addressed the women in the follow
ing manner:
Women, do you know what l have
called YOU here for? Do you realize
clearly the task lying ahead OF you? ?
Do you know what war is? War,
Look into our hearts. examine into
your souls and see IL you can stand
the great test.
Women's Part In War.
AT a time when our country is
perishing it Is the duty Of all OF
US to rise TO its succor The morale
Of our men has fallen low, and it
Is up TO us women to serve as an in
spiration to them. But only those
women who have entirely sacrificed
their personal interests and affairs
could do it.
Woman is naturally light-hearted
But if she can purge herself for sacrf-
fee. then through a caressing word
loving heart and an example OF
heroism she can save the motherland.
We are physically weak. but IL we
be strong morally and spiritually We
will accomplish more than a large
force
Il will have no committees in the
battalion. There will be strict dis
cipline and guilt will be severely pun
ished. There will be punishment for
even slight disobediences No fi!rta-
tions will be allowed and any at
tempts at them will be punished by
expulsion and sending home under
arrest IL is the purpose of this
battalion to restore discipline in the
army. 1t must. therefore. be ire
proachable in character. Now, are
you willing to enlist under such con-
ditions?"
Yes! We are. All right, All right
the women responded in a chorus.
Il will now ask those Of YOU who
accept my terms to sign a pledys
| binding you TO obey any order oi
Botchkareva. | warn you that | am
stern by nature. that / will personally