PAID BRIGANDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 11

PAID BRIGANDS

AUSTRIAN GUERRILLA ; FIGHTERS IN ITALY. In an official note the Italian Government makes public the following accusation. against t'he Austrians "It. is certain that Austria, has left in the territories at present occupied by us agents who have received instructions to carry on brigandage, with the double object of hindering our operations and of provoking harsh acts of repression against the people. These agents are men of tho Landsturm, Gendarmes, and Forest Guards, who are paid by the Austrian Government, receiving £40 or more. Thoy are, -. of course, disguised, and are provided with arms and ammunition. "Treacherously following our columns, they shoot our troops from behind, picking off isolated soldiers'andf officers, and attacking food transports. Their favourite spots . are wooded districts, where ambushes'are easy. These liired assassins have shown themselves capable of firing 011 doctors tending the wounded, and 6ven on th<j latter and their bearers. It is not tho people themselves, but the agents of the Austrian Government who are therefore responsible for the cts of hostility and brigandago committed against us. It should be remembered that only old nicn, women, and children remain in the country, Austria having called to the colours all men capable of bearing arms. ' "It is therefore clear that tho enemy's organisation of brigandage, besides having as its object the impeding of our operations and the carrying out of espionage, .also has the repugnant aim of inducing •us to resort to harsh reprisals. , In this manner does the paternal Austrian Government, with cold ferocity, place at. stake the |if« and property of people formerly its subjects."