GERMANS IN POLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1546, 4 May 1916, Page 4

GERMANS IN POLAND.

PEASANTS’ RETRIBUTION,

Discipline in the German army has become less strict now, as it is composed so largely of men unaccustomed to military service (savs Hamilton Fyfe, correspondent with the Russian forces). Nor have'the new officers the same authority. Cases are now more frequently reported of thefts and barbarities committed by individuals or small parties, although generally the conduct of troops is good. A few days ago in the Kovel region there was a bad case of soldiers behaving, like bandits, which ended by tragic justice being done to these rascals. A party of refugees, which was making its way through woods towards Kieff was met by thirty-five men of the !Ksth Regiment of Prussian Landwehr. All had been taken from them, even the women’s earrings, necklaces, and rings—mostly of very small value. Then the soldiers began to drag (he girls away into the heart of the wood. The girls resisted, but wore forced to accompany the men. They had happily not gone far before they met a number of peasants, some of whom were carrying axes and pitchforks. The girls immediately cried for help, and the peasants, without hesitation, fell bravely upon the Prussian scoundrels.

They were fewer in number, and, of-eourse, not so well armed, but with the assistance of the male refugees, who came up and joined in the light, they accounted for every man of the marauding hand. The whole thirty-live were left dead, and the refugees recovered their property and resumed their journey.