UNSPEAKABLE SAVAGERY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2704, 25 February 1916, Page 5

UNSPEAKABLE SAVAGERY

AUSTRIAN TREATMENT OF RUSj SI AN PRISONERS. Br TeWniph-Preas Association-Copyright ( limes and Sydney "Sim" Services.) (Rec. February 24, 5.10 p.m.) _ ' London, February 23. The report of the Russiaii Commission of liiquirv into the A.ust'rians' treatment of Russian prisoners', based exclusively on the testimony of eye-witnesses, shows Austrians' treatment was more savage than'the Germans'. Tbe Russians suffered starvation, suffocation, robbery, beating, and degradation of every kind. Many were tortured, and some were murdered. During eiaht days' journey to tho concentration camps they were almost without food. Civilians were allowed to strike them, spit upon .them, and tear the bandases from their wounds. The camp meals consisted of coffee made from bailey, and acorns; tea from blackberry- leaves; bread was mixed with chopped straw, while the drinking water 'was taken from a. ennal which r"reived the drainage of seven hundred infected typhoid cases. They wore.driven to a deserted sandy hill, and left uncovered to die. The prisoners were forced to do trench-making, and those refusing were beaten and starved. Inhuman tortures were inflicted for -imarinarv breaches' of discipline. Photographs of tortures are embodied in the report, and show tho malevolent savagery to which the Austrians have sunk.