New Ulm review., 1922-07-26
CZECH WORLD WAR
VETERAN ARRIVES \. RI /;
FRANZ CHRISTIAN, NATIVE
AUSTRIAN, COMES TO
NEW ULM TO LIVE
THREE YEARS AS SOLDIER In
WORLD CONFLICT FILLED
WITH ADVENTURE

Franz Christian, who served in the
army of Czecho Sloyakia for three
years during the World War, arrived
at New Ulm Saturday. He is a
brother to Adolph and Rudolph Chris
tian who came to America two years
ago and who are also living with 'rela-
tives here. Mr.. Christian is making
his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr..
and Mrs. John Holonbeck. - :
Capt ured BY Russians. r.
Mr.. Christian was resident Of
Adams Freiheit, little village in
southern Bohemia, two miles from
the Austrian border. The young
man is 26 years old, and began his
career as soldier in 1915, serving in
the army OF Czecho Slovakia invol-
unfairly as did great number OF his
fellow-soldiers. His brother Rudolph
was in the service for four years and
was actively engaged at the front dur
ing the time. Franz had been in the
service for one year, when he was cap
tured with number of companions,
in an encounter with the Russians.
For twelve days the captives tramped
along with the enemy until they
reached railroad by. which they
were sent to Kiev. They were held
in the Russian camp there for 9 days,
and during that time three scant
meals were brought to them.
Escapes From Enemy.
Franz was placed shortly after with
farmer where he worked all summer,
from the hours of three in the early
morning until ten o'clock at night, for
his scant board and insufficient cloth
ing. Summer over, he was placed Tor
two months in the Russian camps at
Ekaterinsburg, after which he was
transferred to a stone quarry near
Moscow where he worked and sweat
ed for six months. After his removal,
he was placed, with three other young
Czechs who We're also Russian cap
tives, in the care of another farmer.
The four young men worked there for
. year and had evidently won the
faith of the farmer and the Russian
authorities for they were watched
very little. So they made the best OF
the opportunity offered them and ran
away. They had little difficulty in
slipping past the Bolshevik guards
stationed on the Russian border, and
after two months a-foot, they reached
their own regiment once more. Franz
was then granted two months leave of
absence, and visited for a short time
with his mother and younger brother
at home. After he returned, his
regiment was sent to Tyrol, and it was
while they were stationed there that
the armistice was signed.
Took Part In Revolt.
After his discharge, he spent three
years at home, and last October, he
was again called into the service to
take part in the revolution against
Austria. .-
He boarded the ship for America on
July 1st and was twenty-five days en-
route. His mother and a, younger
brother remain in Czecho Slovakia, !
another brother having died of disease
during the war. Franz states that
when he left home, the crops were in a
very poor condition due to the lack Of
rainfall. The farmers, however, are
5he only class Of people who are still
,ble to make living. Day laborers
'eceive no more than six crowns day,
whereas pork costs; .28 crowns perl
pound and -four, crowns. At such /
wages the laboring classes are unable
o cope with the cost Of living, mas
much as the workers are employed no
more than three days each week. No |
commerce is carried on, and very few I,
actories are in operation at the pres Il
mt time. Eighteen thousand crowns l.
re equivalent to one American dollar,
nd anyone who is fortunate enough
Q possess two hundred dollars in AM
rican coin, is considered millionaire. /
Franz. states that the Bohemian
ames iof cities and various places
ave been changed into the language
f the Czeehs, and the use Of the for h
ler names is forbi dden.J S Ss s5S3
It is evident that the union Of Bo-
emianb and Czecb ia iss extremely
'athsome tosthe forner People, pSss prob Z
bly, due to the character of the Czechs. ;
ranz says that several native Gzechs Is
ho had been captured with him by 4
le Russians proved traitors to- their i
'untry, BY revealing to the enemy 4
le plans Of their own army. Many NJ
zechs' s'served in the mercenary troops /
red by the Russian capitalists to Is
Ibdue the Bolsheviki. Il hi
Franz has not yet decided what line Z
work he will take up here, but no I,
after what his decision is, his rela- ss
YES have decided that he will have
"good rest first. Il
s ,1gt Il