The Washington herald., 1919-04-27

So had to return with empty hands.
but 1 did not disclose the truth to the
men, i told them that there was no
equipment on hand and that as soon
as il arrived they would be dispatched
to the battalion's sector. Meanwhile,
l invited them to escort US out OF Mo-
lodechno as comrades.
We started out, in full array. early
the following week. Each of the girls
carried her full equipment. a burden
of about sixty-five pounds. There were
thirty versts ahead of US to corps
headquarters. The road was open.
fields alternating with woods stretch
ing on both sides of it.
l had telegraphed to headquarters
for supper. expecting to arrive there
early in the evening. But clouds gath
cred overhead and showers impeded
our progress to such an extent that
the girls could scarcely keep up.
Whenever We passed a village the
temptation was great to let them take
a rest in 1t. but l knew that l would
never be able 10 collect them
again that day II I once allowed them
TO spread out. So 1 was compelled to
hold the battalion in the open and
move ahead regardless of the condi-
ton OF Ine TOdu OF the "cdlici-
1t was IL at night when we arrived
at corps headquarters and were met
by Gen. Kostiayev. chief of staff. who
asked US to go to eat the meal pre-
pared for us. The commanding gen.
eTal would review us tomorrow. he
said. The girls were too tired to sup.
They fell like dead in the barn as
signed to the battalion and slept all
night in their clothes.
The CORPS headquarters were situ-
ated at Redki. We breakfasted in the
barracks. after which we proceeded to
prepare for review by the command
ing general 1 had been invited to
lunch with the staff after review.
Girls Suffered After March.
II was then found that several of
my girls were suffering from the ef-
fects OF the arduous march on the
preceding day. Two of them, Skrid-
Iowa. my adjutant. the daughter OF an
admiral. who had commanded the
Black sea fleet. and Dubrovskaya, the
daughter Of a general. were too i'll to
remain in the ranks and were sent to
a hospital l appointed Princess Ia
tuyeya. OF a famous Grusin family in
Tiiis. the Caucasus. to be my adju-
tant. She was a brave and loyal girl.
Of high education and spoke fiuently
three foreign languages.
At u I formed the battalion for re-
view. Knowing how much the girls
had gone through the twenty-four
hours before. I abandoned for a mo-
ment my severe attitude and joked
and coaxed my soldiers into an effort
to make a striking impression on the
general. The girls tried their best to
appear in good shape and were to
show the general what the battalion
was worth. The corps commander ar
rived soon. He reviewed my soldiers.
gave them a thorough examination. re-
sorting even to some catch tests.
Magnificent" he said enthusiast
tically at the conclusion of the quiz.
congratulating me and shaking my
hand. Il would not have believed il
possible for men, let alone women. to
master the game in six weeks so well.
Why. we get recruits here who had
undergone three months drilling, and
they could not compare with your
girls"
He then spoke a few words of praise
TO the rank and file. and my soldiers
were immensely pleased. l proceeded
with the general and his suite to head
quarters. where luncheon was await
ing us. He nearly kissed me when he
learned that there were no committees
in my battalion. so genuine was his
joy over it.
Committees Ruined Morale.
since the committees were insti-
tuted in the army. everything has
changed he said. Il love the sol
diers and they always loved me. But
now il is all gone. There is no end of
trouble. Every day. almost every
mands from the ranks. The front has
lost almost all its former might. 1t is
a comedy. not war"
We had not had time to begin the
luncheon when a telegram arrived
from Molodechno. notifying the staff
Of Kerensky's arrival there for lunch
con and requesting the generals and
my attendance. Losing no time. the
general ordered his car and we drove
TO Molodechno at top speed.
There were about twenty persons
present at the luncheon at army head
quarters. kerensky sat at the head
Of the table The commander of my
corps was on my right and another
general on the left. During the meal
the conversation was about the condi-
tlOn at the front and the state of pre-
paredness for a general offensive !
took practically no part in the discus
sion. At the end of the meal, when all
arose. Herensky walked up to the
commander of my corps and delivered
himself Unexpectedly of the following
peremptory speech:
You will see to it that a committee
be formed Immediately in the Death
Battalion and that She" pointing at
me. cease furnishing the girlsr'
U
in the room pricked up their ears.
There was a tense instant l felt my
blood rush to my head, setting me
ablaze. l was furious
Threw EpauIets mt Minister.
With two violent jerks tore or my
epaulets and threw them into the face
of the war minister.
II don't want to serve under you,"
/ exclaimed To-day you are this
way. tomorrow. the opposite. You
allowed me once to run the battalion
without a committee. / shall not form
any committees, i am going home"
i flung these words at the reddened
Kerensly before any one in the room
had recovered from the shock, ran out
OF the house. threw myself into the
corps commanders automobile and or
dered his chauffeur to drive to Redki
instantly.
There was a great commotion as
soon as / left the room. a friend of
the chief of stan. kostjayev. told
later. Kerensky ragged at first.
shoot her." he ordered in the flush
OF anger.
y "Gospodin Minister" Gen. Valuyev,
the commander of the Tenth army,
said in my defense. Il have known