The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-15
SERBIA SHATTERED
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O[nDlA Onhll[n[U
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khaki-clad medicos was the signal for
a vociferous demonstration which
lasted some seconds. DR. Slaughter
Morton's entry also called for much
handclapping and applause. the
audience honorins the speaker of the
evening rising.
The speaker briefly reviewed The
history of Serbia for a few years prior
to the outbreak of hostilities. 1t had
been the policy of Germany and Aus
tria for several hundred years, she
said. to stir up strife among the
smaller nations of Europe, known as
the Balkan states.
The Kaiser's second son, Prince
| Eitel Frederick. with several Aus
| TRAN princes. at the instigation of
Emperor wilhelm, planned the assas-
sination OF the crown prince of
Austria which act was the frebrand
which ignited the world cataciysm.
Serbia. she asserted. had no more to
do with the assassination than did the
United States. 1t was the act of a
| by the plotters.
Germany said to Austria; Make
this an act of war Austria sent
lforty-eight hour ultimatium to Serbia.
Notwithstanding the unreasonableness
OF the demands, Serbia acceded to all
but one. which provided that Austria
should sit in the councils of Serbia
which demand. il acouiesced in. would
have made of Serbia a vassal state.
Serbia. however. was willing to submit
the matter to the Hague tribunal.
| nr,l H. NV tot, -,
was inclined to assent but Germany
kept prodding and urged that her
subsequent ally stand by its ultima
,tum. The assault upon Belgrade was
the beginning Of the war.
All Serbia Shell-Torn
Half OF Serbia's population, the
speaker declared, was decimated and
the entire country. the acreage of
which she compared to the state of
Virginia. was devastated All Serbia
she said is shell-torn ground. not a
house was left standing.
When the country was overrun. and
the conque-ors decided that it cost too
much to feed the Serbian prisoners
| comprising. for the most part. the
aged and infrm, and women and chill
| dren-they were compelled to dig
their own graves. then shot and their
bodies thrown into the bitches and
covered with dirt even before life was
extinct
The Bulgars. she SAID sent word to
= King Peters brave little army that
the allies had deserted them; that they
need expect no aid from England or
France or Italy. and commanded them
TO surrender. Even though our allies
may have deserted us the com
mander of the Serbian army replied,
we win remain loyal to them-we
surrender only to God"
The Bulgars sent word back that
they would mutilate every youth be-
tween ages Of eight and sixteen--ev-
cry male between the ages OF seven
teen and seventy was in the army
and make propagation OF the race i'm
possible 1t was then that the com
mander OF King Peters army ordered
the youth Of Serbia. then numbering
about 5000, t. flee across the AL
bantam mountains to the Adriatic sea.
The speakers graphic recital of the
preparations for the wholesale exc
dus and the parting OF mothers and
sons was hear.rending. 6aao toad o9
the pilgrimage over precip3tu0D aDorD.
tain passages. through bl1nAn0 0nows
and freezing temperature Of the eight
to sixteen-year- old youths. Only 5000
reached the Adriatic. 10000 dying
from hunger and exposure. That"
she emphasized, lis part OF the price
Serbia paid for rs. We can never pay
our debt to Serbia"
Retreat OF Serbian Army.
I Her narrative Of the retreat OF the
Serbian army and abandonment OF the
country as n last resort was thrilling
in the extreme. The allies were I'M
able to succor Serbia To do 80 would
have ieopardizcd that Salonica base of
supplies and would have meant tho
defeat of that portion of the British
army which was defending that
strategical point
The Serbian army did not wish to
retreat 1--WE can die" Serbian SOL
diers told their king. "as our comrades
have done--in defense OF our flag"
When 1t was dem onstrated that fur
Their resistance was futile. they reso-
lutely decided that 1t were better that
the country be sacrificed than that
Serbia's allies be defeated. This, the
! speaker declared. was the finest thing
her that It was Glitter. terrible to give
up our country. but 1t was right for
our allies not to come"
The retreat. she declared was not
precipitate. Tho Serbian army con-
tested every inch OF ground and left
thousands dead upon the field OF bat
| tie. On the march to the Adriatio
she said, the army was hve days and
nights without food. From Serbia to
the sea, she declared, the ground over
| which the army retreated Is strewn
| with the bones Of Serbian soldiers.
Although waging an uphill fight. the
Serbian army eventually retook their
country by pushing the enemy back
and retaking mountain after noun
tain. A scene Of indescribable hor-
ros greeted returning refugees follow
Ing signing Of the -armistice. she said.
Every head of cattle had been driven
from the country into Bulgaria.
Where once homes st God, charred en-
hers and ashes were In their places,
Corpses strswcd the streets. The en-