The Washington herald., 1920-08-26
BY DR. VI. VAN BLANKENsTEIN
washington Hersld-Public Ledger
seryfee-speciaI Gable DispatchD

Cwashington Herald-Public Ledger
seryfee-speciRI Cable Dispatch0
Ortelsburg, East Prussia, Aug. 25.
Il have been with a regiment of the
Bolshevist army which the Poles
were pressing hard toward the Ger
man frontier.
The Russian troops offered a most
sullen spectacle and were completely
exhausted. The majority were
clothed in rags and 1 saw numbers
Of soldiers barefooted.
The army consisted OF a fantastic
wishwash of nations. On visiting
the cavalry corps stan at Janowo
Market, among the crowds of SOL
diers we're naughty, bold Cauca-
SLAMS in their picturesque long man
ties, Cossacks from the Don and
kupan regions, Let's, Chinese, Jews,
Armenians, Moslems from the East
and South, Germans, Austrtans and
Czechs. All languages Of the Eas-
tern world were spoken.
Oraeers Former CEarists.
The leading officers were from
the CZsrist army. They alone were
well clothed. The members of the
army did not wear rank distinc-
the soldiers. They were allowed
travelling cars and maintained Sc
we're discipline. Though they shook
hands with the common people
they were ashamed when their
ragged men came in sight OF the
German frontier sentries and called
them back fercely. II was pitiful
to see the Russian peasants. and
horses patiently enduring terrible
eXertions and privatiOns.
was told many were unfor-
tunate German prisoners on their
way home, who, finding no means
of transportation or food were
after two months of neglect, again
modified. The chief of the third
cavalry corps told me his corps
had marched 100 miles. This is a
most astonishing feat considering
the primitive transportation, the
ragged troops and the lack of san
itary material
Nurses All Dirty.
l visited the Red Cross. where the
doctor seemed a clever man but
had no instruments. There were
only a few small peasant carts for
transporting the wounded in great
discomfort. The nurses were eX-
most dubious looking women. For
tunately there were only a few
wounded.
l spoke with many officers who
told me the people were living un-
der severe control Of the political
cOmmissaries who were savage
looking and noisy lads. but have
also met serious workers among
them. There are also Red officers,
but these have no discipline or in
fuenCe over the troops like the
Czarist officers have.
Ny impression was that only a
few real officers were BOlshevist.
They serve for food, having no
other means of living. and are fight
ing willingly against the Poles,
who seem intensely hated by all
classes of Russians.
Call BoIshevism Calamity.
The officers frankly called Boil
shevism a calamity for Russia, bus
no other party exists. They showed
much interest in Gen. Wrangers
campaign, and do not believe the
BoIsheyist army will last long be-
cause the situation is intolerable.
An oficer showed me a good pair
a coat costing $4,000. salt was 1000
rOubles per pound. The soldiers
have plenty of money. Many have
500. 900 roubles. but the officers said
their people at home were starving.
though the army had sufficient food.
The staff is well equipped. I saw
business-Iike looking war uniforms
as we'll as fantastic Opera-bOuffe.
tinsel-trimmed costumes dating
back to the German periods. Fat.
clean-shaven Russian barOns wore
laced but faded splendor with the
pride Of ROman' consuls.
Explain Recent Defent.
asked the staff officers about the
defeat which they consider most Sc
rfous. Their explanation was that
headquarters always was ordering
the army to advance. which became
simple madness. leaving their base
and infantry so far behind that it
was impossible TO stand the attack
Of fresh Polish troops.
I was a spectator all day Sunday,
August IS. OF the Russian retreat,
which gave a complete impression
Of a beaten army. Many Of the SOL
diers threw away their rifles,
abandoned the army teams. and en-
deavored 10 get into Germany, but
the Germans were not willing to re-
ceive Bolshevist soldiers and urged
the barefooted. unarmed men to con
tInue their way through Poland.
Sunday afternoon. however, when