Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-25

Ortehburg, East Prussia, Aug. 25.-
DR.. NJ. Van Blankenstein, representing
the PUBLIC LEDGER. has been with a
regiment OF the Bolshevist army which
the Poles were pressing hard toward
the German frontier.
The Russian troops offered q most
sullen spectacle and were completely
exhausted. The majority were clothed
N rags, With numbers Of soldiers bare
The army consisted Of a fantastic
wishwash Of nations. On visiting the
cavalry corps STAFF at Janowc market,
among the crowds of soldiers were
naughty, bold Caucssians In their pic
turesgue long mantles, Cossacks from
the Don and Kuban regions, Let's,
Chinese, Jews. Armenians, Moslems
from the East and South. Germans,
Austrians and Czechs. All languages
OF the eastern world were spoken.
The leading officers were from the
Czarist army. They alone were we'll
clotned. The officers Of the army did
not wear rank distinctions, but were
well respected by the soldiers. They
were allowed travelling cars and main
tanned severe discipline. Though they
shook hands with the common people
they were ashamed when their ragged
men came In sight Of the German from
tier sentries and called them back
fercely. 1t was pitiful to see the Rus.
sian peasants and horses patiently en-
during terrible exertions and privations.
The chief Of the Third Cavalry Corps
said his corps had marched 700 miles.
This is a most astonishing feat. con-
sidering the primitive transportation,
the ragged troops and the lack Of sani.
tary material.
Peasants Are DisilIusioncd
Brest- Litovsk, Aug. 20 (by courier
to Warsaw). The Polish and Russian
peasants Of the Brest Litovsk district,
some OF whom welcomed the Bolshevists'
arrival as the dawn Of a new cta for
the Door. lost all liking for bolshevism
during the short stay here of the horde
who robbed them Of everything except
the clothes they stood in. and even these
II the suit or boots were good enough
TO excite the cupidity Of the Bolshevists.
The privates took what horses. cattle
and provisions were left them after the
Polish nrny's requisitions and quar-
tered themselves unccremoniously in the
houses, etc. Some posters took note of
this unofficial requfsitioning (which
restricted the field Of operations" Of
fetal commissions announced that only
regular requisitions need be honored,
but this was Of little avail against
hungry Bolshevist private backed by G
wicked looking rife.
Many jews. however. after the ex-
periences during the Polish evacuation,
dread the return Of the Polish soldiers,
and said they preferred the Bolshevists
as the lesser Of the two evils.
Coal Specter Alarms Europe
Berlin, Aug. 25.-Coal, like a black
specter, again In looming as an aggra-
waiting factor in the European situa-
ton. This time the menace of a coal
shortage, with it's inevitable conse-
qnences Of unemployment and political
disturbance, proceeds from Upper Sile-
sia. where the trouble Is by no means
ended merely because of the cessation
Of hostilities.
The general strike in the mines Of
Upper Silesia declared by the Poles
who constitute the bulk of the miners
Of that region-is likely to extend in
definitely as a protest against the way
in which the dispute between them |
selves and the German population Is
being handled. and against the Ger
man mine owners. Apprehensions are !
felt for the safety Of the coal pits. which |
are in danger of heipo dastrnvad